Resumo A leishmaniose visceral é uma doença tropical negligenciada. Foram avaliadas a distribuição espacial dos casos de leishmaniose visceral no estado de Alagoas. Todos os casos de LV, registrados pela secretaria de saúde, foram analisados e georreferenciados. Entre 2008 e 2017, 97,1% dos municípios apresentaram classificação esporádica de transmissão. Com a evolução temporal, a incidência de casos de leishmaniose visceral se concentrou na maioria dos municípios da microrregião de Santana do Ipanema-AL. A análise espaço-tempo, se considerada, pode promover o aprimoramento das ações de vigilância e controle da leishmaniose visceral.

Abstract Visceral leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease. We evaluated the spatial distribution of cases of visceral leishmaniosis in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. All cases of VL, registered by the health department, were analyzed and georeferenced. Results: Between 2008 and 2017, 97.1% of the municipalities presented sporadic classification of transmission. With temporal evolution, the incidence of cases of visceral leishmaniosis was concentrated in most municipalities in the microregion of Santana do Ipanema-AL. Space-time analysis, if considered, may promote the improvement of surveillance and control actions of visceral leishmaniosis.

Toads of the Rhinella genus have a pair of paratoid glands that store biological secretions of high toxicity and varied chemical composition, rich in biologically active compounds. The present work aimed to carry out the investigation of the metabolomic profile and evaluation of the biological potential of the secretion paratoid glands (PGS) from Rhinella granulosa. The paratoid secretion was collected in the Piauí state (Brazil), extracted with methanol and the extract was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Fifty chemical constituents were identified. The extract showed cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines of the central nervous system (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 1.9 µg mL-1) and prostate (IC50 = 1.6 µg mL-1), unsatisfactory antimicrobial potential (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 312 µg mL-1) and inhibited the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 5.119 mg mL-1). The results presented relevant information about the PGS and contributed to the understanding of the metabolomic and biological potential of R. granulosa.

Melon is a pollinator-dependent crop that relies mainly on bees to set fruits. However, man-selected varieties vary in their attractiveness to flower visitors, and some flower genders and melon types may be less visited than others, harming pollination. We investigated the nectar composition of male, female and hermaphrodite flowers of 270 individuals of five commercial melons Cucumis melo (Cantaloupe, Charentais, Galia, Piel de Sapo, and Yellow), and its role in flower visit by Apis mellifera foragers. We found that melon nectar is composed mainly of sugars and amino acids such as tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and flavonoids kaempferol-3-O-neohesperidoside, luteolin hexoside, and kaempferol rhamnoside. But the amount of these chemical compounds varies among the flower genders. We also developed an accurate regression model to predict the number of bee visits to melon flowers based on the nectar composition. Our results indicate that nectar composition plays little role in bee discrimination among flowers of different melon types but is essential to the honeybee choice between flower gender. The amounts of phenylalanine (49.40%) and tryptophan (12.05%) in the nectar are related to bee preference for hermaphrodite flowers. More visits to hermaphrodite flowers contribute to setting and developing well-formed fruits, increasing productivity.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of different physical exercise programs and polymorphisms of the FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated gene) on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods: A randomized, parallel, double-blind clinical trial consisting of the adolescent overweight from the state public network, in a simple representative random sample, who participated in an aerobic exercise or weight training intervention for 10 weeks. Anthropometry, body composition, biochemical markers, sexual maturation, and rs9939609 polymorphism in the FTO gene were assessed. 347 adolescents had their characterization of nutritional status. 72 individuals with overweight and obesity were invited to participate. 39 remained for the start of the program and were randomly allocated to both types of intervention. In the end, 26 subjects participated in the intervention programs, with 12 and 14 in the aerobic and weight training programs, respectively. Results: Heterozygous and homozygous bearers of risk allele A participating in the aerobic program showed improvements in glycemia (p = 0.002) and total cholesterol (p = 0.023) and a reduction in body fat mass (p = 0.041). The weight training program reduced glycemia in patients with the risk allele A (p = 0.027). Cameron’s stage four sexual maturation participants were 2.1 times more likely to improve their body fat (CI = 1.31–3.39). Conclusion: Aerobic exercises produced exclusively a significant decrease in fat mass and total cholesterol in patients with risk allele A. Distinct physical exercise programs may cause diverse changes in risk variables related to the health of adolescents.

ABSTRACT Research on the use of anaerobic filters as an alternative material to gravel is fundamental, especially if they are low cost and highly efficient in the treatment of swine wastewater (SWW). This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of anaerobic filters filled with waste from the ceramic industry (WCI) as an alternative material to gravel in swine wastewater treatment. The experimental set-up consisted of three anaerobic polyvinyl chloride filters filled with WCI. A randomized block experimental design was used, with four treatments (evaluations of effects at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days) and three blocks, in a scheme of repeated measures over time. The univariate procedure was employed, and we sought to evaluate only the profile of the change in each response variable, between each evaluation time point. The anaerobic filter filled with WCI is a promising option in the treatment of swine effluents from small farms, presenting over 120 days of operation and average removals of 20%–50% of the color, 40%–70% of total solids, 45%– 75% of turbidity, 45%–55% of total nitrogen, and 33%–45% of total phosphorus.

RESUMO Pesquisas utilizando filtros anaeróbios com materiais alternativos à brita tornam-se fundamentais, principalmente se forem de baixo custo e possibilitem elevada eficiência no tratamento de águas residuárias de suinocultura (ARS). Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de filtros anaeróbios preenchidos com resíduos de indústrias de cerâmica (RICs) como materiais alternativos à brita, no tratamento A bancada experimental foi constituída de 3 filtros anaeróbios de policloreto de vinila (PVC), preenchidos com RICs. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos (avaliações dos efeitos aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias) e três blocos, em esquema de medidas repetidas no tempo, sendo adotado o procedimento univariado, buscando-se avaliar apenas o perfil das diferenças de cada uma das variáveis-resposta, entre cada uma das idades de avaliação. O filtro anaeróbio preenchido com resíduo de cerâmica apresenta-se como uma opção promissora no tratamento de efluentes de suinocultura de pequenas propriedades familiares, apresentando, ao longo de 120 dias de funcionamento, remoções médias de 20 a 50 % da cor, 40 a 70% de sólidos totais, 45 a 75% de turbidez, 45 a 55% de N-total e 33 a 45% de P-total.

RESUMO O uso da irrigação desempenha papel fundamental no avanço das fronteiras agrícolas e no aumento da produtividade nas áreas de cultivo, principalmente em ambientes semiáridos que apresentam alta variação espaço-temporal de chuvas. Essa prática é sugerida até mesmo para cultivos adaptados como palma forrageira (Opuntia sp.) e sorgo (Sorghum bicolor). Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a rentabilidade do uso da irrigação no sistema solteiro e sistema consorciado palma-sorgo no semiárido. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 5 × 3: cinco lâminas de irrigação por gotejamento (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% da evapotranspiração de referência - ET0) e três sistemas de cultivo (palma forrageira solteira, sorgo solteiro e consórcio palma-sorgo), com quatro repetições. O tratamento 0% ET0 correspondeu à condição de sequeiro com uma lâmina de 355 mm. Foi conduzido um ciclo de palma e dois de sorgo (planta e rebrota) compreendidos de novembro 2014 a novembro de 2015. Verificou-se que os maiores custos para implantação dos sistemas de cultivo em condições irrigadas se devem à aquisição do sistema de irrigação e insumos, representando 85,3% do custo operacional efetivo. O sistema sorgo solteiro e o sistema palma forrageira-sorgo proporcionaram as maiores produtividades de matéria fresca (62.013,05 e 60.075,36 kg ha-1), respectivamente. Com base em indicadores econômicos, a adoção de lâminas de irrigação (25, 50, 75 e 100% ET0) promoveu lucros para os sistemas (solteiro e consorciado) a partir do segundo ano de implantação.

ABSTRACT Irrigation plays a fundamental role in advancing agricultural frontiers and increasing crop productivity, especially in semi-arid environments, because they exhibit high spatiotemporal rainfall variation. This practice is suggested even for adapted crops, such as forage cactus (Opuntia sp.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and single or intercropping systems. In this study, aimed to evaluate the profitability of using irrigation in a single and intercropping forage cactus-sorghum system in a semi-arid region. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement: five drip irrigation depths (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the reference evapotranspiration - ET0) and three cropping systems (single forage cactus, single sorghum, and intercropping forage cactus-sorghum), with four replicates. The 0% ET0 treatment corresponded to rainfed conditions at a depth of 355 mm. A cycle of forage cactus and two sorghum cultivars (plant and regrowth) was conducted between November 2014 and November 2015. It was verified that the highest costs for implantation of the crop systems in irrigated conditions are due to the acquisition of irrigation and input systems, representing 85.3% of the effective operational cost. The single sorghum and forage cactus-sorghum systems provided the highest fresh matter productivity (62,013.05 and 60,075.36 kg ha-1, respectively). Based on economic indicators, the adoption of irrigation depths (25, 50, 75, and 100% ET0) promoted profits for the systems (single and intercropping) from the second year of implementation.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical profile of essential oil obtained from the leaves of Coriandrum sativum L., and its antifungal activity against Candida spp. The research consisted of an in vitro study including collecting the vegetable product, analysis of its macronutrients, extraction, and chemical analysis of the essential oil, and assaying antifungal activity through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), with growth inhibition kinetics, and the product’s effects on multi-species Candida biofilm. Nitrogen (47.08 g Kg-1), phosphorus (5.3 g Kg-1) and potassium (50.46 g Kg-1) levels were within the normal range. The major constituents were octanal, decanal, dec-(2E)-enal, and dodecanal. The MIC and MFC of the product evaluated against 11 tested Candida strains ranged from 31.25 to 250 μg/mL. There was inhibition of fungal growth during 24 hours of exposure at the 3 concentrations tested (250, 125, and 62.5 μg/mL). The concentration of 80 mg/mL promoted the greatest reduction in multispecies biofilm (70% reduction in biofilm). Coriandrum sativum L. essential oil extract is principally constituted of alcohols and aldehydes and presents fungicidal activity against Candida spp. in its in planktonic and biofilm forms.

Resumo Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o perfil fitoquímico do óleo essencial obtido das folhas de Coriandrum sativum L., e sua atividade antifúngica contra Candida spp. A pesquisa consistiu em um estudo in vitro incluindo a coleta do produto vegetal, análise de seus macronutrientes, extração e análise química do óleo essencial e ensaio da atividade antifúngica por meio da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração fungicida mínima (MFC), com crescimento cinética de inibição e os efeitos do produto no biofilme de Candida multi-espécies. Os níveis de nitrogênio (47,08 g Kg-1), fósforo (5,3 g Kg-1) e potássio (50,46 g Kg-1) estavam dentro da normalidade. Os principais constituintes foram octanal, decanal, dec-(2E)-enal e dodecanal. A CIM e CFM do produto avaliado contra 11 cepas de Candida testadas variaram de 31,25 a 250 μg/mL. Houve inibição do crescimento fúngico durante 24 horas de exposição nas 3 concentrações testadas (250, 125 e 62,5 μg/mL). A concentração de 80 mg/mL promoveu a maior redução no biofilme multiespécies (redução de 70% no biofilme). O extrato do óleo essencial de Coriandrum sativum L. é constituído principalmente por álcoois e aldeídos e apresenta atividade fungicida contra Candida spp. em suas formas planctônicas e biofilme.

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a non-lactose fermenting Gram-negative bacteria responsible for causing numerous nosocomial infections. The present research aimed to analyze the anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa potential of 2-Chloro-N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)acetamide (A8). The antibacterial potential of A8 was evaluated from the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Association using the checkerboard method. MIC and MBC values were 512 µg/mL for all P. aeruginosa strains evaluated, demonstrating predominantly bactericidal activity. Furthermore, when A8 was associated with the drug ceftriaxone, pharmacological additivity and indifference were evidenced. In this sense, the synthetic amide was interesting, since it demonstrates the potential to become a possible candidate for an antimicrobial drug.

Resumo Pseudomonas aeruginosa é uma bactéria Gram-negativa não fermentadora de lactose, responsável por causar inúmeras infecções nosocomiais. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar o potencial anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa da molécula 2-Cloro-N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrofenil)acetamida (A8). O potencial antibacteriano do A8 foi avaliado a partir da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM), Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) e Associação pelo método de checkboard. Os valores de CIM e CBM foram de 512 µg/mL para todas as cepas de P. aeruginosa avaliadas, demonstrando atividade predominantemente bactericida. Além disso, quando o A8 foi associado ao fármaco ceftriaxona, evidenciou-se aditividade e indiferença farmacológica. Nesse sentido, a amida sintética se mostrou interessante, pois demonstra potencial para se tornar um possível candidato a fármaco antimicrobiano.

Environmental pollution by contaminants of emerging concern, among these various pesticides, has been a concern of environmentalists and scientists around the world. Thus, efforts to mitigate the impacts of these substances have been carried out, and the use of advanced oxidation processes, such as photocatalysis, is an alternative. This work sought to synthesize a composite photocatalyst based on iron oxides and titanium dioxide to assess its applicability in degrading the herbicide bentazon (BTZ) by a lamp that simulates the solar spectrum (visible, ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B) and sunlight. Photocatalytic degradation reached 51% in 120 min with a rate constant k = 0.0058 min-1 when a UV-Vis lamp of 300 W was used. The applicability was demonstrated under sunlight radiation, reaching 38% degradation of a bentazon solution (4.1 × 10-4 mol L-1) after 320 min. TiO2 and Fe2O3 were synthesized similarly but showed no degradation under the same conditions. Thus, Fe2O3-TiO2 is an inexpensive and non-toxic material capable of efficiently conducting the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds, such as the bentazon herbicide.

Ursolic acid (UA) is being investigated due to its anti-inflammatory potential, and structural modifications can enhance its biological activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the ursolic acid derivatives (UAD) in macrophages and in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. RAW264.7 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of UA or UAD (1-18). Nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and cellular viability were measured. 30 min before the carrageenan-induced paw edema, the UAD1 and UAD2 (200 mg kg-1) were administered intraperitoneally. The results showed that UAD2-4, UAD7, UAD9-11 had half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) greater than 90 µM and were able to reduce NO, NF-κB and TNF production. Moreover, UAD1 and UAD2 reduced paw edema and IL-6 production. In conclusion, the results obtained demonstrated a variation in the response between the derivatives due to the chemical modifications, showing potential to reduce the inflammatory mediators, deserving further investigations.

Abstract Dermatitis is defined as a set of inflammatory diseases that affect the skin, with varied causes. Among the different types of dermatitis, contact dermatitis is the most prevalent. Although the current therapy is often effective, it is associated with adverse effects and the possibility of drug tolerance. N-Methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline is a L-proline amino acid derivative found in the leaves of Sideroxylon obtusifolium, a species traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the topical anti-inflammatory effect of N-methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP) in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced irritant contact dermatitis in mice. Topically administered NMP, at doses of 0.03 − 0.50 mg/ear, reduced TPA-induced ear edema and neutrophil migration, as evidenced by low tissue myeloperoxidase activity and verified by histological examination. In addition, NMP (0.06 mg/ear) reduced tissue levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, INF-γ and MCP-1) and of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and reduced gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β increased by TPA. The data suggest that N-methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline acts as a topical anti-inflammatory agent that decreases the expression of inflammatory cytokines, making it useful for the treatment of skin inflammation. Further investigations are necessary for its development as a therapeutic agent.

Currently, there is a severe shortage of good-quality feldspar deposits. On the other hand, porcelain tile polishing residue has been widely recognized as an alternative raw material for the ceramic industry. Thus, this research evaluated the effect of the partial replacement of feldspar by the porcelain polishing residue (PPR) in formulations for sanitary stoneware. It was replaced from 2% to 20% of the total mass of feldspar by the residue. The raw materials were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and particle size determination. Then, they were mixed in a wet ball mill, and the rheological properties of the suspensions were analyzed. Samples of the test were produced by slip casting and sintered at 1160 °C, 1180 °C, and 1200 °C. Rheological characteristics were not affected when up to 20% of feldspar was replaced by residue. Bodies with high amounts of PPR had flexural strength and water absorption values similar to those of bodies without PPR in formulations. Furthermore, apparent porosity values lower than the reference mass were obtained with the addition of 6% of the residue in the formulation.