ABSTRACT The application of leaf area index (LAI) in coffee crop management depends on the availability of methodologies for proper estimation. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for the visual assessment of LAI in coffee fields and to establish a protocol for training, evaluation, and feedback for evaluators. Four rounds of LAI measurements were conducted using visual estimates, two instruments (LAI 2200-C and AccuPAR LP-80), and defoliation of coffee hedgerows in Poás, Costa Rica. In each round, five workers visually estimated the LAI values on two occasions separated by 15 days, and feedback reinforcement was provided to each worker at the end of each round. Visual assessments showed high repeatability and reproducibility and the estimates were adjusted to the linear regression model in most cases. Evaluators improved their capacity to visually assess the LAI throughout the rounds, as the value of R2increased consistently for most workers, with values as high as 0.87. Instrumentation evaluation of LAI produced R2values of 0.5-0.6, with significant underestimation bias. The performance of the different methods is discussed in the context of widely spaced hedgerows. The proposed visual methodology constitutes a statistically sound, rapid, simple, and reliable method for determining the LAI of coffee fields to aid in decision-making for crop management.

RESUMO A aplicação do índice de área foliar (IAF) na gestão da cultura do cafeeiro depende da disponibilidade de metodologias para sua estimativa correta. É proposta aqui uma metodologia para a avaliação visual do IAF em plantas de café, por tanto se estabelece um protocolo para o treinamento dos avaliadores. Foram feitas quatro rodadas de medições do IAF utilizando estimativas visuais, dois instrumentos (LAI 2200-C e AccuPAR LP-80), e desfolhações de sebes de café na Costa Rica. A cada rodada, cinco trabalhadores estimaram visualmente os valores do IAF em duas ocasiões e separados por 15 dias. Ao final de cada rodada, foi dada uma retroalimentação a cada trabalhador. A avaliação visual mostrou alta repetibilidade e reprodutibilidade, e as estimativas foram ajustadas para o modelo de regressão linear na maioria dos casos. Os avaliadores melhoraram sua capacidade de avaliar visualmente o IAF ao longo das rodadas, e o valor de R2 aumentou consistentemente para a maioria dos trabalhadores, com valores tão altos quanto 0,87. A avaliação do IAF por instrumentos produziu valores de R2 de 0,5-0,6, com significativa tendência de subestimação, e não se ajustou ao modelo de regressão linear. O desempenho dos diferentes métodos é discutido no contexto de coberturas com amplo espaço. A metodologia visual proposta constitui uma determinação sólida, rápida, simples e confiável do IAF na lavoura do café e considera-se uma ajuda na tomada de decisões para a gestão da safra.

Resumo Horismenus camobiensis sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) é descrita com base em dados morfológicos, moleculares e ecológicos; esta nova espécie Chalcididae atua como hiperparasitoide de Opsiphanis invirae (Hübner, 1818) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) em pupas de seu parasitoide Cotesia invirae Salgado-Neto and Whitfield, 2019 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Caracteres diagnósticos morfológicos e moleculares e ilustrações de H. camobiensis são fornecidos.

Abstract Horismenus camobiensis sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is described based on morphological, molecular and ecological data; this new species of chalcid wasp acts as hyperparasitoid of Opsiphanis invirae (Hübner, 1818) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in its parasitoid Cotesia invirae Salgado-Neto and Whitfield, 2019 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Diagnoses with morphological and molecular characters and illustrations are provided.

Resumo O conteúdo de dopamina nas estruturas cerebrais tem sido relacionado à excitabilidade neuronal e várias abordagens têm sido utilizadas para estudar este fenômeno durante o período de vulnerabilidade às crises. No presente trabalho, descrevemos os efeitos da depleção de dopamina após a administração de 6-hidroxidopamina (6-OHDA) na região pars compacta da substância negra de ratos submetidos ao modelo de epilepsia com pilocarpina. A susceptibilidade ao estado de mal epiléptico induzido pela pilocarpina, bem como a frequência de crises espontâneas e recorrentes durante o período crônico do modelo foi determinada. Sendo o hipocampo uma das principais estruturas afetadas no desenvolvimento desse modelo experimental de epilepsia, os níveis de dopamina nessa região foram determinados após a administração da droga. No primeiro experimento, 62% (15/24) dos ratos pré-tratados com 6-OHDA e 45% (11/24) daqueles que receberam ácido ascórbico como solução controle evoluíram para crises límbicas motoras e para o estado de mal epiléptico, após a administração de pilocarpina. A gravidade das crises durante o período agudo do modelo foi significativamente maior nos ratos epilépticos experimentais (56,52%) do que nos ratos controle (4,16%). No segundo experimento, não houve diferença significante entre os grupos quanto à frequência de crises na fase crônica do modelo. Nossos dados mostraram que a dopamina pode desempenhar um papel importante na gravidade das crises na fase aguda da pilo, o que parece ser exercido por sua ação inibitória da dopamina sobre a expressão motora das crises.

Abstract The dopamine content in cerebral structures has been related to neuronal excitability and several approaches have been used to study this phenomenon during seizure vulnerability period. In the present work, we describe the effects of dopamine depletion after the administration of 6-hidroxidopamine (6-OHDA) into the substantia nigra pars compacta of male rats submitted to the pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Susceptibility to pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE), as well as spontaneous and recurrent seizures (SRSs) frequency during the chronic period of the model were determined. Since the hippocampus is one of main structures in the development of this experimental model of epilepsy, the dopamine levels in this region were also determined after drug administration. In the first experiment, 62% (15/24) of 6-OHDA pre-treated rats and 45% (11/24) of those receiving ascorbic acid as control solution progressed to motor limbic seizures evolving to SE, after the administration of pilocarpine. Severeness of seizures during the model´s the acute period, was significantly higher in epileptic experimental rats (56.52%), than in controls (4.16%). In the second experiment, the frequency of seizures in the model’s chronic phase did not significantly change between groups. Our data show that dopamine may play an important role on seizure severity in the pilo’s model acute period, which seems to be due to dopamine inhibitory action on motor expression of seizure.

Reuse made by the separation of whey can reduce the waste of human milk. However, the authors are not aware of the literature on treatments in human whey, made available by pasteurization holder, freeze-drying, spray drying, and high hydrostatic pressure. In this context, the present study applied treatments to human whey and evaluated their lipid and immunological quality. Among the results, a different formation in the triacylglycerol profile was evidenced after the application of spray drying and high hydrostatic pressure, while pasteurization and freeze-drying presented ion intensity close to the control human whey. In addition, pasteurization proved to be adequate for lipid nutritional quality and transformation factor-β1 (TGF-β1) concentration, while an increase in interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels was promoted, between 73 and 80%, after freeze-drying, spray drying, and high hydrostatic pressure. Through the principal component analysis, it is noteworthy that the processes presented divergences in terms of the effects caused, with similarity only between pasteurization and freeze-drying in the composition of fatty acids. However, it was observed that all processes were able to maintain the nutrients. Nevertheless, it is relevant to consider individual characteristics presented and the interest in the desired quality, which can be promising as a complementary product to infant feeding.

ABSTRACT Soil management systems, including tillage and green manuring, are important for the control of nematodes and for the sustainable production. The objective was to select, through multivariate analysis, sustainable agroecosystems for yellow melon cultivated under irrigated conditions in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The long-term experiment is set up in Argissolo Vermelho- Amarelo (Ultisol) with six multifunctional agroecosystems, composed of the combination of three mixtures of cover crops (1 - 75% legumes + 25% grasses and oilseeds; 2 - 25% legumes + 75% grasses and oilseeds and 3 - spontaneous vegetation) and two types of soil management (no tillage-NT and tillage-T). The purpose was to evaluate the nutritional status of plants, soil fertility, nematode population in roots and soil, and the yield. Data were analyzed with multivariate techniques, allowing the grouping of the agroecosystems based on their similarities and complexity of functions. The incorporation of plant residues to the soil reduces nematode population, but their maintenance on the surface allows the improvement of fertility and yield, even under larger nematode populations. The agroecosystems that associate the nonincorporation of residues from cover crops with larger species diversity in composition constitute the most complex model, allowing different environmental functionalities. Thus, it is recommended not to incorporate the plant residues, planting the melon seedlings directly in the straw. However, considering that the results obtained with the non-incorporation of spontaneous vegetation were similar to those obtained with the incorporation of commercial cover crops, it is concluded that this practice is also viable and adapted to the semi-arid conditions.

RESUMO Sistemas de manejo de solos, incluindo revolvimento e adubação verde, são importantes para o controle de nematoides e para a produção sustentável. Objetivou-se selecionar, por meio da análise multivariada, agroecossistemas sustentáveis para cultivo irrigado de melão amarelo no Semiárido brasileiro. As avaliações ocorreram num experimento de longa duração, com seis agroecossistemas multifuncionais, compostos pela combinação de três misturas de plantas de cobertura (1 - 75% leguminosas + 25% gramíneas e oleaginosas; 2 - 25% leguminosas + 75% gramíneas e oleaginosas e 3 - vegetação espontânea) e dois tipos de manejo do solo (sem e com revolvimento). Avaliaram-se o estado nutricional das plantas, a fertilidade do solo, as populações de nematoides nas raízes e no solo e a produtividade da cultura. Os dados foram submetidos às técnicas de análises multivariadas, permitindo agrupar os agroecossistemas por semelhanças e complexidade das suas funções. A incorporação dos resíduos vegetais ao solo reduz a população de nematoides, mas sua manutenção na superfície permite melhorar a fertilidade e alcançar boas produtividades, mesmo sob maior população de nematoides. Os agroecossistemas que associam o não revolvimento dos resíduos vegetais das plantas de cobertura com maior diversidade de espécies na composição é o modelo considerado mais complexo, permitindo diferentes funcionalidades ambientais. Assim, recomenda-se não incorporar os resíduos vegetais, transplantando as mudas de meloeiro diretamente sobre a palhada. No entanto, considerando que os resultados obtidos com a não incorporação da vegetação espontânea foram semelhantes à incorporação das plantas de cobertura comerciais, conclui-se que esta prática também é viável e adaptada às condições semiáridas.

Resumen El VIH es una enfermedad crónica que afecta a los receptores CD4 del sistema inmunológico. El Tratamiento Antirretroviral (TARV) es vital para disminuir la carga viral, pero su éxito depende del grado de adherencia al mismo. El objetivo de este estudio fue revisar los factores asociados a la eficacia de las intervenciones psicológicas para incrementar la adherencia al TARV y agregar los hallazgos en estimaciones cuantitativas de su impacto en la adherencia. La revisión de la literatura fue realizada desde agosto de 2017 hasta abril de 2020 en PubMed, EBSCO y Springer Link, utilizando los siguientes criterios de elección de los estudios: (1) que estuvieran publicados en revistas indexadas con revisión por pares, (2) que fueran experimentales o cuasiexperimentales, (3) que emplearan técnicas para el incremento de la adherencia, (4) que estuvieran publicados en español o inglés, (5) que reportaran los estadísticos necesarios para el cálculo del tamaño de efecto. De los 15 estudios seleccionados (. total = 1669), se obtuvieron 38 tamaños del efecto. El cálculo de los tamaños de efecto individuales y global se realizó usando el programa Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Biostat, 2011, v. 2.2.064). Todos los tamaños de efecto fueron calculados usando la diferencia estandarizada de medias y un modelo de efectos aleatorios. El tamaño de efecto global fue moderado (. = 0.56, . = 38, IC95 % = 0.39 - 0.72, . < .001), mostrando que las intervenciones fueron significativamente superiores al grupo de comparación. Debido a la alta heterogeneidad de los estudios (I. = 82.25), se analizaron 12 variables moderadoras, de las cuales 11 fueron significativas (. < .005). Los resultados del análisis de variables moderadoras indican un mayor efecto en el incremento de la adherencia al TARV en intervenciones con marcos teóricos basados en el apoyo social por pares y con metodologías adaptables a la vivencia cotidiana de la persona.

Abstract HIV is a chronic disease that affects the CD4 receptors of the immune system, so it is necessary for people with the virus to be under Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) to reduce the viral load in the body. The success of ART is related to adherence to treatment, understood as: the intake of antiretroviral drugs, follow-up of medical controls and implementation of healthy lifestyles. There are personal, social and health systems problems that prevent people from adhering to ART in an adequate way. This situation has become a public health problem because inappropriate taking of drugs often leads to drug resistance. In this way, it is necessary to implement effective psychological interventions aimed at increasing adherence to ART, to contribute to a better use of antiretrovirals and to the improvement of the quality of life of people with HIV. Accordingly, the objective was to review the factors associated with the efficacy of psychological interventions, to increase adherence to ART and to aggregate the findings in quantitative estimates of its impact on adherence. For this purpose, meta-analysis was used as a research technique that allows a quantitative analysis of results by calculating specific statistics. The literature search and review were carried out from August 2017 to May 2019 in the PubMed, Academic Search Complete (EBSCO Host) and Springer Link databases, for the identification of experimental studies that met the eligibility criteria (studies published in peer-reviewed indexed journals, experimental or quasi-experimental research, using techniques to increase adherence, published in Spanish and English and reporting the necessary statistics for effect size calculation). Of the 15 studies (total n = 1669) selected, 38 effect sizes were obtained. The calculation of the individual and global effect size was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Biostat, 2011, v. 2.2.064). All the effect sizes were calculated using the standardized mean difference and a random effects model. To find out if individual effect sizes were homogeneous and therefore represent a similar measure of treatment efficacy, the Cochran Q homogeneity test was applied; based on this, the I. was calculated. Also, it was performed a publication bias calculation, the objective of which was to estimate the number of non-significant effect sizes that are required for a reduction of the global effect size to a smaller and non-significant one. The overall effect size was moderate (. = 0.56, . = 38, 95 % CI = 0.39 - 0.72, . < .001) and presented high heterogeneity (I. = 82.25). Twelve moderator variables were analyzed (year of publication, percentage of men, average age, measurement time, number of sessions / interactions, duration of sessions, total duration of intervention, economic remuneration for intervention, place where the intervention was carried out, type of intervention, intervention modality and adherence measurement), of which 11 were significant (all but intervention modality: individual vs. group therapy). The results suggest that the success of an intervention proposal to improve adherence to ART will be related to its ability to consider the components of the environment and the social situation in which the person with HIV develops, as well as their intrinsic characteristics in interaction with their context. Likewise, it is necessary to consider that the presence of adherence barriers should be treated specifically in young people and adults, as well as in men and women. Finally, it is more important to establish interventions aimed not only to increase adherence, but maintaining it, which is why it is considered necessary to propose studies aimed at maintaining adherence, as well as offering practical tools for people to make better decisions about their health.

Abstract Purpose Several bedside clinical tests have been proposed to predict difficult tracheal intubation. Unfortunately, when used alone, these tests show less than ideal prediction performance. Some multivariate tests have been proposed considering that the combination of some criteria could lead to better prediction performance. The goal of our research was to compare three previously described multivariate models in a group of adult patients undergoing general anesthesia. Methods This study included 220 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. A standardized airway evaluation which included modified Mallampati class (MM), thyromental distance (TMD), mouth opening distance (MOD), head and neck movement (HNM), and jaw protrusion capacity was performed before anesthesia. Multivariate models described by El-Ganzouri et al., Naguib et al., and Langeron et al. were calculated using the airway data. After anesthesia induction, an anesthesiologist performed the laryngoscopic classification and tracheal intubation. The sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the models were calculated. Results The overall incidence of difficult laryngoscopic view (DLV) was 12.7%. The area under curve (AUC) for the Langeron, Naguib, and El-Ganzouri models were 0.834, 0.805, and 0.752, respectively, (Langeron > El-Ganzouri, p= 0.004; Langeron = Naguib, p= 0.278; Naguib = El-Ganzouri, p= 0.101). The sensitivities were 85.7%, 67.9%, and 35.7% for the Langeron, Naguib, and El-Ganzouri models, respectively. Conclusion The Langeron model had higher overall prediction performance than that of the El-Ganzouri model. Additionally, the Langeron score had higher sensitivity than the Naguib and El-Ganzouri scores, and therefore yielded a lower incidence of false negatives.

Abstract Until now, there is no protocol for the micropropagation of pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis) from explants of adult trees. Persistent microbial contamination and browning of tissues have impeded the success of previously proposed methods. Specifically, the adult tree leaf explant constitutes an unexplored starting point for the regeneration of C. illinoinensis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine a disinfection method and in vitro culture conditions that induce greater callus production in adult pecan tree leaf explants. Five disinfection methods were tested: (1) 70% ethanol for 50 s, 1.8-2.7% sodium hypochlorite with 2 drops/L of Tween 80 for 50 s, (2) 70% ethanol for 2 min, 1.8-2.7% sodium hypochlorite with 2 drops/L of Tween 80 for 2 min, (3) 70% ethanol for 2 min, 1.8-2.7% sodium hypochlorite with 2 drops/L of Tween 80 for 2 min, 1 g/L of carbendazim with 2 drops/L of Tween 80 for 20 min, (4) 70% ethanol for 2 min, 1.8-2.7% sodium hypochlorite with 2 drops/L of Tween 80 for 2 min, 8.8 g/L of carbendazim with 2 drops /L of Tween 80 for 20 min, and (5) 70% ethanol for 2 min, 1.8-2.7% sodium hypochlorite with 2 drops/L of Tween 80 for 2 min, 1 g/L of prochloraz with 2 drops/L of Tween 80 for 20 min. In addition, 6 different culture media were tested where the carbon source (sucrose, glucose and maltose), the inclusion of an antioxidant (AgNO3 and activated carbon), and the concentration of MS salts (maximum or one third of the maximum concentration) were varied. The explants were incubated for 50 days; a portion of the explants was incubated in the dark and the other under a photoperiod of 16 h. Likewise, some explants were inoculated in abaxial orientation, and others in abaxial orientation. The level of browning, the percentage of explants with callus, the fresh and dry weight of the calluses, and the percentage of explants contaminated by microorganisms were evaluated. The lowest percentage of contaminated explants was observed in the disinfection treatment that included immersion in prochloraz, and prochloraz was the only fungicide that allowed callogenesis in 100% of the treated explants. The darkening in the explants did not increase when the concentration of MS salts tripled. Glucose significantly reduced browning, but also significantly decreased the percentage of explants with callus, compared to that observed when using sucrose or maltose. The adaxial orientation promoted a higher percentage of explants with callus, with a fresh and dry weight, as well as a higher moisture percentage. The photoperiod prevented callus production, while incubation in the dark allowed more than 80% of the explants to produce callus in each treatment. The medium without antioxidant and the medium with 5 mg/L of silver nitrate gave similar browning results, while 1 g/L of activated carbon left the explants unviable. The present work proposes a method for the aseptic establishment and in vitro culture conditions for callus initiation in leaflets of adult pecan tree, with reproducible results.

Resumen Hasta ahora, no existe un protocolo para la micropropagación de nogal pecanero (Carya illinoinensis) a partir de explantes de árbol adulto. La contaminación microbiana persistente y el oscurecimiento oxidativo de los tejidos han impedido el éxito de métodos previamente propuestos. Específicamente, el explante de hoja de árbol adulto constituye un punto de partida inexplorado para la regeneración de C. illinoinensis. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar un método de desinfección y las condiciones de cultivo in vitro que inducen una mayor producción de callo en explantes de hoja de árbol adulto de nogal pecanero. Se probaron 5 métodos de desinfección: (1) etanol 70% por 50 s, 1.8-2.7% hipoclorito de sodio con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 50 s, (2) etanol 70% por 2 min, 1.8-2.7% hipoclorito de sodio con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 2 min, (3) etanol 70% por 2 min, 1.8-2.7% hipoclorito de sodio con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 2 min, 1 g/L de carbendazim con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 20 min, (4) etanol 70% por 2 min, 1.8-2.7% hipoclorito de sodio con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 2 min, 8.8 g/L de carbendazim con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 20 min, y (5) etanol 70% por 2 min, 1.8-2.7% hipoclorito de sodio con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 2 min, 1 g/L de procloraz con 2 gotas/L de Tween 80 por 20 min. Además, se probaron 6 diferentes medios de cultivo donde se varió la fuente de carbono (sacarosa, glucosa y maltosa), la inclusión de un antioxidante (AgNO3 y carbón activado), y la concentración de sales MS (máxima o un tercio de la concentración máxima). Los explantes fueron incubados durante 50 días; una porción de los explantes fue incubada en la oscuridad y la otra ante un fotoperiodo de 16 h. Asimismo, unos explantes fueron inoculados en orientación abaxial, y otros en orientación abaxial. Se evaluó el oscurecimiento oxidativo de los explantes, el porcentaje de explantes con callo, el peso fresco y seco de los callos, y el porcentaje de explantes contaminados por microorganismos. El menor porcentaje de explantes contaminados se observó en el tratamiento de desinfección que incluyó inmersión en procloraz, además procloraz fue el único fungicida que permitió la callogénesis en el 100% de los explantes tratados. El oscurecimiento en los explantes no aumentó al triplicar la concentración de sales MS. La glucosa redujo significativamente el oscurecimiento de los explantes, pero también disminuyó de manera significativa el porcentaje de explantes con callo, en comparación con lo observado al utilizar sacarosa o maltosa. La orientación adaxial, promovió un mayor porcentaje de explantes con callo, con un peso fresco y seco, así como un porcentaje de humedad superiores. El fotoperiodo impidió la producción de callo, mientras que la incubación en la oscuridad permitió que más del 80% de los explantes produjeran callo. El medio sin antioxidante y el medio con 5 mg/L de nitrato de plata dieron resultados semejantes de oscurecimiento, mientras que 1 g/L de carbón activado dejó los explantes inviables. El presente trabajo propone un método para el establecimiento aséptico y condiciones de cultivo in vitro para la iniciación de callos en hojas de nogal pecanero adulto, con resultados reproducibles.

A variation in the climatic parameters of an orographic vineyard influences the growth and development of vines and grapes. Understanding the effects of this is highly beneficial in determining how viticulture practices can be modified to enhance grape quality. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of in-row grape position, altitude and vigour on berry morphology and grape maturity. The effects of vigour, altitude and in-row grape position on berry weight and diameter, titratable acidity, pH and sugar concentration of Carignan and Grenache noir grapes grown in a vineyard located in Priorat were investigated in the 2021 vintage. The results show that Carignan grapes with a lower vigour demonstrated a higher sugar concentration, berry weight and diameter, as well as lower titratable acidity, while the Grenache noir grapes with a lower vigour achieved only a higher sugar concentration. The grapes at high altitude had a higher sugar concentration in Carignan and higher titratable acidity in Grenache noir. Outer-row grapes of Carignan were characterised by lower titratable acidity and a higher sugar concentration, berry weight and diameter, while the outer-row grapes of Grenache noir displayed lower berry diameter, and a higher pH and sugar concentration. Vigour and in-row grape position have stronger effects on berry morphology and chemical composition than altitude. Sugar concentration is more susceptible than other parameters to be influenced by variability in the vineyard conditions.

Abstract The plant species identification process is one of the most critical stages of quality control of plant raw material. Microscopy serves as the most accessible means for this purpose. Epidermal appendages, such as trichomes, are important botanical markers of plant drugs, taking into account their presence or absence and micromorphology. Trichomes are useful in detecting adulterants or substitutes and in authenticating plant raw materials. The genus Solidago includes two morphologically similar South American species, S. chilensis Meyen and S. microglossa DC. (syn. S. chilensis var. megapotamica). The two species belong to the “S. chilensis” complex and are commonly called arnica-do-mato or arnica. They are morphologically separated primarily on the basis of the average length of the non-glandular trichomes present in the stems. The objective of this study was to search for microscopic markers for the identification and differentiation of these two species to support species identification and quality control of the vegetable raw material. For this purpose, the usual techniques of light and scanning electron microscopy were used. Five types of trichomes were found in this study: I. Simple non-glandular trichome, II. Uniseriate non-glandular trichome, III. Biseriate non-glandular trichome, IV. Flagelliform glandular trichome, and V. Capitate glandular trichome. S. chilensis has simple non-glandular, flagelliform glandular, and rarely capitate glandular trichomes. Whereas, in addition to its glandular trichomes, S. microglossa has two types of non-glandular trichomes: biseriate and uniseriate. Thus, the two South American species of Solidago can be microscopically identified and differentiated based on the presence and absence of the characteristic trichomes. These differences can serve as pharmacognostic subsidies for quality control of the evaluated species.

Abstract Due to the complex nature of pain and the participation of physical, cognitive, psychological and behavioral aspects, pain management has several approaches. The use of medicinal plants in developing countries is quite expressive. Seeking new options for the treatment of emerging or debilitating diseases. Therefore, the present study seeks to elucidate the effects of the monoterpene, citronellal, differentiating its activity by isomers (R)-(+) and (S)-(-) citronellal. The study used several methods to evaluate the effects of citronellal isomers on motor coordination, nociceptive response, and the involvement of opioid, glutamatergic, and transient receptor pathways. The methods included rota-rod, hot-plate, and formalin tests, as well as the use of specific inhibitors and agonists. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics with a 95% confidence level. Both isomers did not significantly affect the motor coordination of the studied animals. The isomer (S)-(-) citronellal showed better results in relation to its structural counterpart, managing to have an antinociceptive effect in the formalin and hot plate tests with a lower concentration (100 mg/kg) and presenting fewer side effects, however, the this study was not able to elucidate the mechanism of action of this isomer despite having activity in studies with substances that act on specific targets such as glutamate and capsaicin, its activity was not reversed with the use of antagonists for pathways related to nociception. While the (R)-(+) citronellal isomer, despite showing total activity only at a concentration of 150 mg/kg, was able to determine its mechanism of action related to the opioid pathway by reversing its activity by the antagonist naloxone, being this is a pathway already correlated with nociception control treatments, however, it is also related to some unwanted side effects. In this way, new studies are sought to elucidate the mechanism related to the isomer (S)-(-) citronellal and a possibility of use in other areas related to the treatment of pain or inflammation.

Resumo Devido à natureza complexa da dor e a sua participação de aspectos físicos, cognitivos, psicológicos e comportamentais, o manejo da dor possui diversas abordagens. O uso de plantas medicinais em países em desenvolvimento é bastante expressivo. Buscando novas opções para o tratamento de denças emergentes ou debilitantes. Portanto, o presente estudo busca elucidar os efeitos do monoterpeno, citronelal, diferenciando sua atividade pelos isômeros (R)-(+) e (S)-(-) citronelal. O estudo utilizou diversos métodos para avaliar os efeitos dos isômeros de citronelal na coordenação motora, resposta nociceptiva e o envolvimento de vias opioides, glutamatérgicas e de receptores transitórios. Os métodos incluíram testes de rota-rod, placa quente e formalina, além do uso de inibidores e agonistas específicos. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente com um intervalo de confiança de 95%. Ambos os isomeros não afetaram significativamente a coordenação motora dos animais em estudo. O isômero (S)-(-) citronelal apresentou melhores resultados em relação ao seu homólogo estrutural, conseguindo ter um efeito antinociceptivo nos testes de formalina e placa quente com menor concentração (100 mg/kg) e apresentando menos efeitos colaterais, entretanto, o presente estudo não foi capaz de elucidar o mecanismo de ação deste isomero apesar de ter atividadade em estudos com substancias que agem em alvos específicos como glutamato e capsaicina, sua atividade não foi revertida com a utilização de antagonistas para as vias relacionadas à nocicepção. Enquanto o isômero (R)-(+) citronelal, apesar de apresentar de apresentar total atividade somente na concentração de 150 mg/kg, foi capaz de determinar seu mecanismo de ação relacionado à via opióide pela reversão da sua atividade pelo antagonista naloxona, sendo esta uma via já correlacionada com os tratamentos de controle da a nocicepção, no entanto, também está relacionada a alguns efeitos colaterais indesejados. Desta forma busca-se novos estudos para elucidação do mecanismo relacionados ao isomero (S)-(-) citronellal e uma possibilidade de utilização em outras areas relacionadas ao tratamento da dor ou inflamação.

Food additives are chemical substances added to improve organoleptic characteristics, in this context, there are several synthetic dyes, such as sunset yellow, tartrazine, erioglaucine, allura red, indigo carmine, and new coccine, that can also be identified through different analytical techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector and mass spectrometry. Therefore, the objective of this work was to compare methods developed for different analytical techniques, in order to identify the one that presents greater efficiency in certain applications. For this, the patterns of the dyes were analyzed, as well as their mixtures and foods that had them. As a result, the CLAE-DAD presents excellent selectivity and linearity of the calibration curves, but it presents higher LD and LQ values when compared to the UV-Vis, in turn the infrared provides information regarding functional groups and bonds. Mass spectrometry showed great capabilities in identifying the molecular formula and better selectivity in the absence of the erioglaucine dye. It is not feasible to indicate the best or worst analytical approach, but it is possible to point out which one is more suitable for each application. Regarding the quantification capacity, chromatography and UV-Vis are good alternatives, but in mixtures containing more than one dye, CLAE-DAD is more suitable due to the better selectivity. Regarding the identification capacity, mass spectrometry, especially FT-ICR MS, is the most appropriate technique to propose molecular formulas due to its high resolution and mass accuracy. The advantage of FTIR was the easier sample preparation, being able to analyze the dyes in the solid state.

Colostrum human milk samples obtained from human milk banks received different treatments and were evaluated for their proximal composition, fatty acids composition and lipid quality. The total lipids content was maintained in the treatments. There was no difference in moisture, ash, total proteins, carbohydrates and energetic value for raw colostrum human milk and pasteurized colostrum human milk, and there was difference in ash, total proteins and energetic value for freeze-dried colostrum human milk and pasteurized + freeze-dried colostrum human milk. The fatty acids composition demonstrated no difference in the processes for 14 of 31 fatty acids identified. Furthermore, lipid quality indices were obtained, which were unpublished for colostrum human milk submitted to pasteurization and freeze drying. Principal component analysis showed similar behaviors for freeze-dried colostrum human milk and pasteurized and freeze-dried colostrum human milk. So, the processes used may be promising for application in colostrum human milk, due to the maintenance of its proximal characteristics and fatty acid composition.

Abstract Bioavailability of nutrients, the scarcity of synthetic fertilisers, and the rising cost of fuel have all contributed to an increase in production costs, which has in turn reduced crop productivity and led scientists to seek out new methods to ensure high-quality output. In this context, various cytokinins dosages were tested in Peru to see whether they affected the quality of caigua, in an effort to address these issues. To mitigate these problems, a pot experiment was carried out to check the effects of various doses of cytokinin in the quality of caigua in Peru. The experiment consisted of 5 treatments including (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mL of cytokinin) by using (Anthesis Plus per 200 L of water) as a source, each with three replicates and placed following a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Treatment with 100 mL of cytokinins foliar analysis resulted in a caigua length of 18.9 cm, an increase in diameter of 5.65 cm, and an improvement in pulp thickness of 7.60 millimeters. Physiological parameters of caigua plants taken after 45 days of sowing were considerably improved with the same treatment. Similarly, N, K and Zn concentration in leaf was higher in case of 100 mL of cytokinins foliar analysis. Therefore, policymakers must advise using the recommended quantity of cytokinins to bring about regime transition, and formers can gain by injecting 100 mL of cytokinins to boost production and the economy. It was concluded that the adequate dose of cytokinins is in treatment T3, which raised value of potassium concentration in leaves, this influenced optimal development, strengthening against environmental stress and therefore quality. For this reason, research was carried out on the comparative study of cytokinin doses in the quality of caigua in Peru; the objective was to determine the appropriate dose to obtain higher quality fruit. Likewise, it was underlined that the objective was to employ an ecological alternative of plant origin such as the usage of phytohormone that stimulates the growth of the plant and consequently the quality of the fruit. The obtained the results were served as a recommendation for farmers in the area.

Resumo A biodisponibilidade de nutrientes, a escassez de fertilizantes sintéticos e o aumento do custo dos combustíveis contribuíram para um aumento nos custos de produção, o que, por sua vez, reduziu a produtividade das culturas e levou os cientistas a procurar novos métodos para garantir resultados de alta qualidade. Neste contexto, várias dosagens de citocininas foram testadas no Peru para examinar se afetavam a qualidade do caigua, num esforço para resolver estes problemas. Para mitigar esses problemas, foi realizado um experimento em vaso para verificar os efeitos de diversas doses de citocinina na qualidade do caigua no Peru. O experimento consistiu de cinco tratamentos, incluindo 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 mL de citocinina utilizando Anthesis Plus por 200 L de água como fonte, cada um com três repetições e dispostos seguindo um delineamento em blocos completos casualizados (RCBD). O tratamento com 100 mL de análise foliar de citocininas resultou em comprimento de caigua de 18,9 cm, aumento de diâmetro de 5,65 cm e melhora na espessura da polpa de 7,60 mm. Os parâmetros fisiológicos das plantas de caigua colhidas após 45 dias da semeadura melhoraram consideravelmente com o mesmo tratamento. Da mesma forma, a concentração de N, K e Zn nas folhas foi maior no caso da análise foliar de 100 mL de citocininas. Portanto, os decisores políticos devem aconselhar a utilização da quantidade recomendada de citocininas para provocar a transição de regime, e os primeiros podem ganhar injetando 100 mL de citocininas para impulsionar a produção e a economia. Concluiu-se que a dose adequada de citocininas está no tratamento T3, que elevou o valor da concentração de potássio nas folhas, isso influenciou no desenvolvimento ideal, no fortalecimento contra o estresse ambiental e consequentemente na qualidade. Por esse motivo, foram realizadas pesquisas sobre o estudo comparativo de doses de citocinina na qualidade do caigua no Peru; o objetivo foi determinar a dose adequada para obter frutos de maior qualidade. Da mesma forma, foi sublinhado que o objetivo era empregar uma alternativa ecológica de origem vegetal, como a utilização de fito-hormona que estimulasse o crescimento da planta e, consequentemente, a qualidade do fruto. Os resultados obtidos serviram de recomendação para os agricultores da região.