RESUMO O estudo objetivou avaliar a capacidade de índices de vegetação (IV) obtidos de imagens aéreas por veículo aéreo não tripulado em estimar a produtividade de grãos de soja, nas condições de solo e clima da microrregião de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil. Avaliou-se a cultivar de soja BRS-8980, em estádio R5, submetida a dois regimes hídricos (RH) (100 e 50% da evapotranspiração da cultura - ETc) e dois níveis de N (com e sem suplementação de N). O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as parcelas os regimes hídricos e as subparcelas os níveis de nitrogênio, com cinco repetições. Cada parcela continha 20 linhas de 4,5 m de comprimento, espaçadas de 0,5 m entre linhas, com área de 45 m² e uma área útil para avaliação da produtividade de grãos de 6 m². Avaliaram-se 20 IV obtidos de imagens aéreas de câmera multiespectral, os quais foram correlacionados com medidas de produtividade de grãos em campo. Adotaram-se análises de correlação de Pearson, de regressão linear e de autocorrelação espacial (índice I de Moran global e local) para geração e análise de desempenho dos IV na predição da produtividade de grãos. Para validação dos modelos de regressão linear, usou-se os índices R2, RMSE e nRMSE. O modelo de predição baseado no EVI-2 apresenta elevada aleatoriedade espacial, para todos os tratamentos avaliados, e menores erros de predição iguais a 149,68 kg ha-1 (sem suplementação de N) e 173,96 kg ha-1 (com suplementação de N).

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the ability of vegetation indices (VIs) obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images to estimate soybean grain yield under soil and climate conditions in the Teresina microregion, Piaui state (PI), Brazil. Soybean cv. BRS-8980 was evaluated in stage R5 and submitted to two water regimes (WR) (100 and 50% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) and two N levels (with and without N supplementation). A randomized block design in a split-plot scheme was used, in which the plots were the water regimes and the subplots N levels, with five replicates. Each plot contained twenty 4.5 m-long rows, spaced 0.5 m apart, with a total area of 45 and 6 m² study area for grain yield evaluations. Twenty VIs obtained from multispectral aerial images were evaluated and correlated with grain yield measurements in the field. Pearson’s correlation, linear regression, and spatial autocorrelation (Global and Local Moran’s I) were used to analyze the performance of the VIs in predicting grain yield. The R2, RMSE and nRMSE indices were used to validate the linear regression models. The prediction model based on EVI-2 exhibited high spatial randomness for all the treatments, and smaller prediction errors of 149.68 and 173.96 kg ha-1 (without and with N supplementation, respectively).

ABSTRACT Digital aerial images obtained by cameras embedded in remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) have been used to detect and monitor abiotic stresses in soybeans, such as water and nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of vegetation indexes (VIs) from RPA images to remotely detect water and nutritional status in two soybean cultivars for nitrogen. The soybean cultivars BONUS and BRS-8980 were evaluated at the phenological stages R5 and R3 (beginning of seed enlargement), respectively. To do so, plants were subjected to two water regimes (100% ETc and 50% ETc) and two nitrogen (N) supplementation levels (with and without). Thirty-five VIs from multispectral aerial images were evaluated and correlated with stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf N content (NF) measurements. Near-infrared (NIR) spectral band, enhanced vegetation index (EVI), soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and renormalized difference vegetation index (RDVI) showed linear correlation (p<0.001) with gs, standing out as promising indexes for detection of soybean water status. In turn, simplified canopy chlorophyll content index (SCCCI), red-edge chlorophyll index (RECI), green ratio vegetation index (GRVI), and chlorophyll vegetation index (CVI) were correlated with NF (p<0.001), thus being considered promising for the detection of leaf N content in soybeans.

Resumo Altas doses de antibióticos utilizados em hospitais podem afetar a composição microbiana dos esgotos, selecionando bactérias resistentes. Nesse sentido, avaliamos o perfil de resistência a antibióticos e o fenótipo multirresistente de bactérias isoladas em esgoto de um hospital terciário no interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Para o isolamento de bactérias, foram semeados 10 µL das amostras de esgoto em meios de cultura seletivos e os isolados foram identificados usando o sistema automatizado VITEK-2. O teste de sensibilidade aos antibióticos foi realizado por disco-difusão em ágar. Elevadas porcentagens de resistência foram encontradas para amoxicilina, ampicilina, ceftazidima, clindamicina, vancomicina e o fenótipo multirresistente (MDR) foi atribuído a 60,7% dos isolados. Nossos resultados mostram bactérias classificadas como prioridade crítica/alta pela Lista de Patógenos Prioritários da OMS (Enterococcus e Staphylococcus aureus resistentes à vancomicina e Enterobacteriaceae resistentes aos carbapenêmicos) no esgoto hospitalar. Sendo assim, implementação de tecnologias de desinfecção do esgoto hospitalar reduziriam a carga bacteriana no esgoto que chegará às estações de tratamento de esgoto urbanas, minimizando a contaminação dos ecossistemas hídricos receptores e a disseminação da resistência bacteriana no ambiente.

Abstract High doses of antibiotics used in hospitals can affect the microbial composition of sewers, selecting resistant bacteria. In this sense, we evaluated the antibiotic resistance profile and the multiresistant phenotype of bacteria isolated in sewage from a tertiary hospital in the interior São Paulo state, Brazil. For bacteria isolation, 10 µL of sewage samples were sown in selective culture media and the isolates were identified using VITEK-2 automatized system. The antibiotic sensitivity test was performed by disk diffusion. High percentages of resistance were found for amoxicillin, ampicillin, ceftazidime, clindamycin, vancomycin and the multidrug-resistant phenotype (MDR) was attributed to 60.7% of the isolates. Our results show bacteria classified as critical/high priority by WHO List of Priority Pathogens (Enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus resistant to vancomycin and Enterobacteriaceae resistant to carbapenems) in hospital sewage. Therefore, the implementation of disinfection technologies for hospital sewage would reduce the bacterial load in the sewage that will reach urban wastewater treatment plants, minimizing superficial water contamination and bacterial resistance spread in the environment.

Resumo Paullinieae é uma tribo predominantemente neotropical e compreende seis gêneros (Cardiospermum, Lophostigma, Paullinia, Serjania, Thinouia e Urvillea), dos quais Lophostigma é o único gênero não encontrado no Brasil. Este estudo foi conduzido nas restingas do estado do Rio de Janeiro, que começam na foz do rio Itabapoana, na fronteira com o estado do Espírito Santo e se estende até a Ponta da Trindade (incluindo a Ilha Grande), próximo à fronteira com o estado de São Paulo. Este ecossistema possui grande biodiversidade, mas tem sido constantemente ameaçado pelo desmatamento, ocupação humana e ações de degradação decorrentes do turismo. Nesta área foram encontradas 30 espécies pertencentes a cinco gêneros: Cardiospermum (1 spp), Paullinia (9 spp), Serjania (15), Thinouia (2) e Urvillea (3). O tratamento taxonômico incluiu descrição e chave para identificação das espécies, informações sobre as formações vegetacionais das restingas onde cada táxon ocorre, além de ilustrações e mapas de distribuição geográfica das espécies. A maioria das espécies ocorre em floresta de cordão arenoso, seguidas das espécies de vegetação arbustiva fechada de cordão arenoso e arbustiva aberta não inundável. Entre as 30 espécies, quatro delas (P. coriacea, P. ternata, S. fluminensis e S. littoralis) são encontradas apenas nas formações de restinga e quatro espécies são endêmicas do Rio de Janeiro (S. eucardia, S. fluminensis, S. littoralis e S. tenuis). Além disso, quatro espécies já estão incluídas na Lista Vermelha da Flora do Brasil e outras três estão indicadas neste estudo. Este trabalho é importante não apenas para melhorar o conhecimento das espécies de Paullinieae encontradas nas restingas do Rio de Janeiro, mas também para fornecer informações a serem utilizadas em medidas de conservação no Estado e nas demais regiões de restinga do Brasil.

Abstract Paullinieae is a predominantly neotropical tribe comprising six genera (Cardiospermum, Lophostigma, Paullinia, Serjania, Thinouia and Urvillea), of which Lophostigma is the only one not found in Brazil. This study was conducted in the sandy coastal plains (restingas) of Rio de Janeiro state, which from the mouth of the Itabapoana river in the north, bordering Espírito Santo state, to Ponta da Trindade (including Ilha Grande) in the south, bordering São Paulo state. This ecosystem has great biodiversity, but has been constantly threatened by deforestation, human occupation and degradation resulting from tourism. In this area we found 30 species in five genera: Cardiospermum (1 sp.), Paullinia (9 spp.), Serjania (15), Thinouia (2) and Urvillea (3). The taxonomic treatment includes a key to identify the taxa, and for each species a morphological description, illustrations, a map of its geographical distribution, ecological information, phenological data, and conservation status. Most species occurred in ridge forests, followed by dune thicket and non-flooded scrub formations. Among of the 30 species, four (Paullinia coriacea, P. ternata, Serjania fluminensis and S. littoralis) were recorded only in the sandy coastal plains, and four are endemic to Rio de Janeiro state (Serjania eucardia, S. fluminensis, S. littoralis and S. tenuis). In addition, four species are already included in the Red List of Brazilian Flora and another three are indicated in this study as threatened. This research is important not only to improve knowledge of Paullinieae species found in Rio de Janeiro’s sandy coastal plains, but also to provide information to be used for conservation measures in the State, as well as in other coastal plains of Brazil.

Abstract Muscle overuse and its consequent muscle damage has no cure. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of tau-AuNPs on muscle recovery of muscle overuse model. The animals (Male Swiss mice) were randomly divided into four groups: Control (Ctr; n=6); tau-AuNPs (n=6); overuse (n=6); and overuse plus tau-AuNPs (n=6). Exercise sessions were performed for 21 consecutive days, and one exercise model was applied daily in the following sequence: low intensity, moderate intensity, and high intensity. The mice were then sacrificed. The quadriceps muscles were surgically removed for subsequent biochemical analysis (oxidative stress parameters, DNA damage markers and muscle differentiation protein). The overuse group significantly increased the oxidative stress parameters and DNA damage markers, whereas tau-AuNPs significantly decreased the oxidative stress parameters in the overuse animal model. However, there were no significant differences observed between overuse group and overuse plus tau-AuNPs administrated group in relation to DNA damage markers including DNA damage frequency and index levels when compared to control and tau-AuNPs groups. Muscle differentiation protein Myf-5 was increased in the overuse plus tau-AuNPs administration group when compared to control group. In conclusion, tau-AuNPs had significant effect on reducing oxidative stress parameters and increasing myogenic regulatory protein Myf-5 in the overuse group. However, it did not have significant effect on reducing DNA damage.

Over the years, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been reported in the literature as an alternative to traditional methods of analysis, becoming well established among spectroanalytical techniques. LIBS is a technique widely used for qualitative approaches; however, it is necessary considerable effort for use in quantitative analysis, mainly due to severe matrix effects. These limitations make it difficult to broaden the application of LIBS in quantitative analysis. In this sense, this review discusses recent advances in calibration strategies applied in LIBS for minimizing matrix effects and enabling determination with satisfactory accuracy and precision. Applications, advantages, and limitations of the calibration strategies, such as matrix-matching calibration (MMC), internal standardization (IS), standard addition (SA), multi-energy calibration (MEC), one-point gravimetric standard addition (OP GSA), one-point and multi-line calibration (OP MLC), slope ratio calibration (SRC), two-point calibration transfer (TP CT), single-sample calibration (SSC), multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares (PLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN) are discussed.

Abstract This paper presents the characterization of dielectric properties (dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss factor) of Tommy Atkins mango (Mangifera indica L), a fruit produced in several regions of Brazil, of great economic importance. The fruits were characterized according to their maturation index, by probe method, and identified by the yellowish tone in their bark. The results allowed correlating the dielectric characteristics of the fruit with the physicochemical transformations that occurred in the maturation process of the mango Tommy. It was also verified a greater variation in the frequencies below 1 GHz, with the maturation indicated by the dielectric signature on the fifth day after the harvest. From these results, we can observe the use of electromagnetic materials and techniques in the solution and optimization of processes in agriculture can improve the quality of products consumed or suggesting best practices to the productive sector.

A combined phytochemical, crystallographic and biological study of Worsleya procera roots was performed. Fifteen alkaloids were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and seven of them were isolated. The structures of the alkaloids were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and a detailed crystallographic study of tazettine was carried out. The isolated alkaloids and the obtained extracts were tested in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 and K1 strains) and human hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2) to assess their antiplasmodial and cytotoxic effects, respectively. One of the isolated alkaloid derivatives, lycorine, exhibited antiplasmodial activity against both sensitive (3D7) and resistant (K1) parasite strains in the low micromolar range (half-maximal sample inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.5 and 3.1 µM, respectively) and displayed a low cytotoxicity profile, with a selectivity index greater than 100. Our findings indicate that lycorine is a hit for antimalarial drug discovery.

This review attempts to present a broad view of the technique laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), since its origin, fundamentals, sample preparation strategies, use of chemometric tools for data processing, the advantages and limitations with regard to qualitative and quantitative analysis, aplications and future trends as an analytical technique that is in consolidation in analytical chemistry. LIBS is a rapid and versatile, which is able of providing qualitative and quantitative analytical information for practically any sample, in a virtually non-destructive way, without any substantial sample preparation. The instrumentation is simple, robust, compact, and enables remote analysis. The advancement of the LIBS applications in the areas of agriculture, environmental, food, biological/pharmaceutical, forensic, metallurgy and electronic waste were discussed in detail in this review. We consider that this review will be an important tool concerning dissemination of the LIBS, mainly for audience of undergraduate courses, and disciplines related to instrumental analysis.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar os fatores de risco para progressão da DRC em crianças do Brasil e avaliar as interações entre os fatores. Métodos: Coorte prospectiva multicêntrica em São Paulo, envolvendo 209 crianças com DRC em estágios 3-4. O desfecho do estudo incluiu: a) óbito, b) início da terapia de substituição renal, c) redução de > 50% na taxa estimada de filtração glomerular (eGFR) durante o acompanhamento. Foram testados 13 fatores de risco com o modelo de regressão univariada seguido do modelo de regressão multivariado de Cox. Os termos de interação entre as variáveis mostraram associação significativa e foram introduzidos ao modelo. Resultados: Após média de acompanhamento de 2,5 anos (IIQ = 1,4 a 3,0), 44 casos (21%) apresentaram desfecho: 22 iniciaram diálise, 12 apresentaram redução de > 50% na eGFR, sete foram submetidos a transplante e três morreram. Estágio avançado de DRC no acometimento (RR = 2,16, IC = 1,14-4,09), proteinúria nefrótica (RR = 2,89, IC = 1,49-5,62), idade (RR - 1,10, IC = 1,01-1,17), escore Z da pressão arterial sistólica (RR = 1,36, IC = 1,08-1,70) e anemia (RR = 2,60, IC - 1,41-4,77) foram associados ao resultado. Foi detectada interação entre anemia e proteinúria nefrótica na primeira visita (V1) (RR = 0,25, IC = 0,06-1,00). Conclusões: Como a primeira coorte de DRC no hemisfério sul, este estudo é concordante com os principais fatores relatados em países desenvolvidos com relação à progressão da DRC, afirmando o possível papel dos tratamentos para mostrar a evolução da DRC. A interação detectada sugere que a anemia pode ser mais nociva na progressão da DRC em pacientes sem proteinúria e deve ser ainda mais estudada.

Abstract Objective: To identify risk factors for chronic kidney disease progression in Brazilian children and to evaluate the interactions between factors. Methods: This was a multicenter prospective cohort in São Paulo, involving 209 children with CKD stages 3-4. The study outcome included: (a) death, (b) start of kidney replacement therapy, (c) eGFR decrease >50% during the followup. Thirteen risk factors were tested using univariate regression models, followed by multivariable Cox regression models. The terms of interaction between the variables showing significant association with the outcome were then introduced to the model. Results: After a median follow-up of 2.5 years (IQR = 1.4-3.0), the outcome occurred in 44 cases (21%): 22 started dialysis, 12 had >50% eGFR decrease, seven underwent transplantation, and three died. Advanced CKD stage at onset (HR = 2.16, CI = 1.14-4.09), nephrotic proteinuria (HR = 2.89, CI = 1.49-5.62), age (HR = 1.10, CI = 1.01-1.17), systolic blood pressure Z score (HR = 1.36, CI = 1.08-1.70), and anemia (HR = 2.60, CI = 1.41-4.77) were associated with the outcome. An interaction between anemia and nephrotic proteinuria at V1 (HR = 0.25, CI = 0.06-1.00) was detected. Conclusions: As the first CKD cohort in the southern hemisphere, this study supports the main factors reported in developed countries with regards to CKD progression, affirming the potential role of treatments to slow CKD evolution. The detected interaction suggests that anemia may be more deleterious for CKD progression in patients without proteinuria and should be further studied.

ABSTRACT: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are very important to plant nutrition, mostly in terms of acquisition of P and micronutrients. While Acacia mangium is closely associated with AMF throughout the whole cycle, Eucalyptus grandis presents this symbiosis primarily at the seedling stage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of AMF in these two tree species in both pure and mixed plantations during the first 20 months after planting. We evaluated the abundance, richness and diversity of AMF spores, the rate of AMF mycorrhizal root colonization, enzymatic activity and soil and litter C, N and P. There was an increase in AMF root colonization of E. grandis when intercropped with A. mangium as well as an increase in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase in the presence of leguminous trees. AMF colonization and phosphatase activities were both involved in improvements in P cycling and P nutrition in soil. In addition, P cycling was favored in the intercropped plantation, which showed negative correlation with litter C/N and C/P ratios and positive correlation with soil acid phosphatase activity and soil N and P concentrations. Intercropping A. mangium and E. grandis maximized AMF root colonization of E. grandis and phosphatase activity in the soil, both of which accelerate P cycling and forest performance.

Resumo Introdução: A doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA) é a terceira causa de transplante hepático no mundo. Tem elevada prevalência após transplante hepático (TH) e é representada pela recorrência da esteato-hepatite (NASH), ou por NASH de novo, que ocorre em pacientes transplantados por outra etiologia. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão da literatura para avaliar a relevância da recorrência ou do NASH de novo em pacientes transplantados de fígado. Método: Realizada revisão da literatura através de artigos indexados no Medline, Scielo e Lilacs até 2016 publicados em inglês e português. Foram considerados elegíveis estudos que incluíram local e ano de publicação, prevalência e características clínicas dos pacientes. Resultados: Foram identificados 110 artigos e selecionados 63, que avaliaram a recorrência de NASH, NASH de novo e sobrevida após o TH. A sobrevida foi de 90% a 100% em um ano e de 52-100% em 5 anos. A recorrência de esteatose variou de 15-100% e a de NASH de 4-71%, enquanto esteatose e NASH de novo variaram de 18-67% e 3-17%, respectivamente. A frequência de síndrome metabólica, diabetes, dislipidemia e hipertensão variaram de 45-58%, 18-59%, 25-66% e 52-82%, respectivamente. Conclusão: No pós-transplante de fígado, os pacientes apresentam elevada prevalência de recorrência, de NASH de novo e de distúrbios metabólicos. Entretanto, essas alterações parecem não influenciar a sobrevida dos pacientes.

Summary Introduction: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated or not with cirrhosis is the third leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) around the world. After transplants, NASH has a high prevalence and occurs as both recurrent and de novo manifestations. De novo NASH can also occur in allografts of patients transplanted for non-NASH liver disease. Objective: To evaluate recurrent or de novo NASH in post-LT patients. Method: A literature review was performed using search engines of indexed scientific material, including Medline (by PubMed), Scielo and Lilacs, to identify articles published in Portuguese and English until August 2016. Eligible studies included: place and year of publication, prevalence, clinical characteristics, risk factors and survival. Results: A total of 110 articles were identified and 63 were selected. Most of the studies evaluated recurrence and survival after LT. Survival reached 90-100% in 1 year and 52-100% in 5 years. Recurrence of NAFLD (steatosis) was described in 15-100% and NASH, in 4-71%. NAFLD and de novo NASH were observed in 18-67% and 3-17%, respectively. Metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension were seen in 45-58%, 18-59%, 25-66% and 52-82%, respectively. Conclusion: After liver transplants, patients present a high prevalence of recurrent and de novo NASH. They also show a high frequence of metabolic disorders. Nevertheless, these alterations seem not to influence patient survival.

RESUMO A simulação de habitat para espécies de peixes (PHABSIM) é uma etapa importante do método Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM), cuja aplicação está relacionada a determinação da vazão ecológica. O presente estudo aplicou PHABSIM em dois trechos da bacia do rio das Velhas, cujas vazões de médio prazo são semelhantes, mas sob condições de conservação ambiental diferente. Curvas de aptidão foram obtidas para Astyanax sp., Piabarchus stramineus, Piabina argentea e Serrapinnus heterodon através do método tradicional e ajustando modelo aditivos generalizados (Astyanax sp., P. argentea e S. heterodon). Os resultados sugerem uso de habitats diferentes dependendo do modelo utilizado para gerar as curvas. Aplicando as curvas obtidas pelo método tradicional no PHABSIM, diferentes cenários de vazão foram simulados. O aumento da vazão para cheia de um ano de retorno aumenta o habitat provável para todas as espécies. Entretanto, mesmo cenário de vazão, fornecido por análise de hidrológica de percentis de ocorrência, fornece diferente proporção de habitat em diferentes rios. O trabalho demonstra que curvas de aptidão para espécies neotropicais, independentemente da forma de geração, devem ser usadas com cautela. Entretanto, o método PHABSIM permite análises mais elaboradas do que as tradicionais estimativas de vazão mínima empregadas na América do Sul.

ABSTRACT Physical habitat simulation (PHABSIM) is an important step of the instream flow incremental methodology (IFIM), which is applied to establish environmental flow regimes. This study applied the PHABSIM in two reaches of the Velhas river basin, whose long-term discharges are similar but are under different degrees of impact. Suitability curves were obtained for fish species using traditional methods (Astyanax sp., Piabarchus stramineus, Piabina argentea and Serrapinnus heterodon) and generalized additive models for fish density (Astyanax sp., P. argentea and S. heterodon). The results of habitat use depended on the method for curves generation. Applying the suitability curves by traditional methods, different discharge scenarios were simulated. The flow increasing from a dry scenario to a discharge of 1 year of return promotes a possible habitat increase for all species. However, the same hydrological flow percentiles produce different habitat proportions in different rivers. This work demonstrates that regardless of how suitability curves for the Neotropical species are generated, caution should be taken when applying them. However, the PHABSIM method allows more complex analyses than the traditional approaches based on minimal flow estimations, which is usually applied in South America.

Vochysia divergens (Vochysiaceae) is considered an invasive species in the wetlands of the Brazilian Pantanal, which hinders the cultivation of agricultural species. In this study, we evaluated the chemical profile by HPLC-DAD (high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector) of leaves extracts from V. divergens seedlings inoculated with endophytic fungi isolated from V. divergens roots. These fungi were collected on dry (D) and wet (W) seasons in the Pantanal. The presence of tannin hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP)-galloyl-glucose and flavone 3',5'-dimethoxy-luteolin were predominant in the seedlings inoculated with endophytic fungi W experiments at 100 and 80%, respectively. Likewise, flavone 3',5-dimethoxy-luteolin-7-O-β-glucoside showed a similar representation in the two evaluated periods, compared with 5-methoxy-luteolin, which was detected only in seedlings inoculated with W endophytic fungi. This approach is new to V. divergens, which has no scientific data on its in vitro elicitation, in the search for a better understanding of the ecological relationships of this species.

ABSTRACT In this work, four secondary metabolites were isolated from leaves of Pachystroma longifolium (Euphorbiaceae): loliolide, gallic acid, methyl protocatechuate and ethyl gallate. Their structures were established by physical and spectroscopic methods. The extracts of P. longifolium and the purified compounds were tested as cathepsins inhibitors and the extracts were active.