Resumo A busca por herbicidas mais amigáveis ao meio ambiente, visando o controle de pragas agrícolas, aliado a uma menor nocividade à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente tem crescido. Uma alternativa utilizada pelos pesquisadores é a aplicação de produtos do metabolismo secundário de plantas, que são investigados em virtude do seu potencial bioativo. Assim, espécies pertencentes à família Myrtaceae são potenciais nestes estudos, uma vez que esta família é reconhecida por possuir alta atividade biológica. Uma espécie pertencente a este gênero é Psidium cattleyanum, que possui efeito medicinal e seus frutos são utilizados na alimentação humana. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar e comparar a fitocitogenotoxicidade de extratos foliares aquosos e etanólicos da espécie P. cattleyanum, a partir de bioensaios vegetais, bem como identificar as principais classes de compostos presentes nos extratos. Para isso, os extratos foram preparados e caracterizados e foram realizados testes biológicos avaliando, em sementes e plântulas de alface e sorgo, as variáveis: porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, crescimento radicular e crescimento aéreo; em células meristemáticas de alface foram avaliadas as variáveis: fases mitóticas, índice mitótico, alterações nucleares e alterações cromossômicas. Flavonas, flavononas, flavonóis, flavononóis, flavonóides, alcalóides, resinas, xantonas e glicosídeo de antraquinona foram caracterizados no extrato etanólico. Ambos os extratos avaliados, na maior concentração, inibiram o desenvolvimento inicial da planta. Todos os tratamentos causaram alterações nas fases mitóticas e inibiram o índice mitótico. Além disso, os tratamentos promoveram aumento de alterações nucleares e cromossômicas. O mecanismo de ação apresentado foi aneugênico, clastogênico e epigenético. O extrato etanólico foi mais citotóxico, pois teve efeito mais expressivo em menor concentração. Apesar da citotoxicidade dos extratos em estudo, eles promoveram alterações em níveis inferiores ao controle positivo glifosato.

Abstract The search for more environmental friendly herbicides, aiming at the control of agricultural pests, combinated with less harmfulness to human health and the environment has grown. An alternative used by researchers is the application of products of secondary plant metabolism, which are investigated due to their potential bioactivities. Thus, species belonging to the Myrtaceae family are potential in these studies, since this family is recognized for having high biological activity. A species belonging to this genus is Psidium cattleyanum, which has a medicinal effect and its fruits are used in human food. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the phyto-cyto-genotoxicity of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of the specie P. cattleyanum, from plant bioassays, as well as to identify the main classes of compounds present in the extracts. For this, the extracts were prepared, characterized and biological tests were carried out by evaluating, in seeds and seedlings of lettuce and sorghum, the variables: percentage of germination, germination speed index, root growth and aerial growth; and in meristematic lettuce cells the variables: mitotic phases, mitotic index, nuclear alterations and chromosomal alterations. Flavones, flavonones, flavonols, flavononols, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, xanthones and anthraquinone glycoside were characterized in the ethanolic extract. Both evaluated extracts, in the highest concentration, inhibited the initial plant development. All treatments caused alterations in the mitotic phases and inhibited mitotic index. In addition, the treatments promoted an increase in nuclear and chromosomal alterations. The mechanism of action presented was aneugenic, clastogenic and determined in epigenetic alterations. The ethanolic extract was more cytotoxic, since it had a more expressive effect at a lower concentration. Despite the cytotoxicity of the extracts under study, they promoted alterations at lower levels than the glyphosate positive control.

Abstract The control of weeds in agriculture is mainly conducted with the use of synthetic herbicides. However, environmental and human health concerns and increased resistance of weeds to existing herbicides have increased the pressure on researchers to find new active ingredients for weed control which present low toxicity to non-target organisms, are environmentally safe, and can be applied at low concentrations. It is herein described the synthesis of glycerol-fluorinated triazole derivatives and evaluation of their phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic activities. Starting from glycerol, ten fluorinated triazole derivatives were prepared in four steps. The assessment of them on Lactuca sativa revealed that they present effects on phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic parameters with different degrees of efficiency. The compounds 4a, 4b, 4d, 4e, 4i, and 4j have pre-emergent inhibition behavior, while all the investigated compounds showed post emergent effect. Mechanism of action as clastogenic, aneugenic, and epigenetic were observed in the lettuce root meristematic cells, with alterations as stick chromosome, bridge, delay, c-metaphase, and loss. It is believed that glycerol-fluorinated triazole derivatives possess a scaffold that can be explored towards the development of new chemicals for the control of weed species.

Resumo A poliploidia, uma alteração numérica do cariótipo, é um dos mecanismos mais importantes na especiação e diversificação das plantas, mas também pode ser detectada entre populações, os citótipos. Por exemplo, Psidium cattleyanum, um complexo poliplóide, tem números de cromossomos que variam de 2n=3x=33 a 2n=12x=132. A poliploidização causa um aumento no conteúdo de DNA, e ambas as modificações podem alterar o crescimento, a fisiologia e a epigenética da planta. Com base nessa possibilidade, objetivamos verificar a influência da poliploidização na produção de quimiotipos de óleo essencial de P. cattleyanum. Diferenças nos conteúdos de DNA, representando diferentes ploidias, foram observadas e três quimiotipos distintos foram identificados através da análise do perfil cromatográfico. O conteúdo de DNA de Psidium cattleyanum e as características qualitativas e quantitativas dos óleos essenciais apresentaram correlação positiva. Plantas com maiores conteúdos de DNA apresentaram maiores rendimentos na produção de óleo, que era majoritariamente composto por sesquiterpenos hidrogenados, enquanto plantas com menores conteúdos de DNA produziram menores quantidade de óleo, que era majoritariamente composto por monoterpenos hidrogenados. Com base na importância dos óleos essenciais, plantas poliplóides, que apresentam maiores conteúdos de DNA, são recomendadas como possíveis matrizes para a propagação de novas plantas com potencial para produzir compostos importantes de interesse agronômico e farmacológico.

Abstract Polyploidy, a numerical alteration of the karyotype, is one of the most important mechanisms in plant speciation and diversification, but could also be detected among populations, the cytotypes. For example, Psidium cattleyanum, a polyploid complex, has chromosome numbers ranging from 2n=3x=33 to 2n=12x=132. Polyploidization causes an increase in DNA content, and both modifications may cause alteration in plant growth, physiology, and epigenetics. Based on this possibility, here we aim to verify the influence of the polyploidization on the production of P. cattleyanum essential oil chemotypes. Differences in the DNA contents, as a proxy to different ploidies, were observed and three distinct chemotypes were identified through the chromatographic profile analysis. The Psidium cattleyanum DNA content and qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the essential oils presented a positive relationship. Plants with higher DNA contents presented higher levels of oil production, which was mostly composed of hydrogenated sesquiterpenes, while plants with lower DNA contents produced lower amount of oil, which was mostly composed of hydrogenated monoterpenes. Based on the importance of essential oils, polyploid plants, which present higher DNA content, are recommended as possible matrices for the propagation of new plants with the potential to produce major compounds of agronomic and pharmacological interest.

Abstract Background: Family psychotherapy has been shown to have a positive impact on the evolution of patients with psychosomatic disorders, and in those with arterial hypertension it could improve the level of control of the disease Objective: To evaluate the impact of an intervention in family psychotherapy in patients with uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension. Method: Study with comparative groups. 15 uncontrolled hypertensive patients, assigned to 2 groups: an intervention group of 10 patients who received family psychotherapy and a control group of 5 patients. In both groups, the pharmacological treatment indicated by experts was continued. Both groups were compared before and after the intervention regarding quality of life (InCaViSa), family functioning (Family Functioning Scale), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index and glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid and creatinine. Results: There was qualitative improvement in the domains of the InCaViSa scale to estimate quality of life in the intervention group and there were no statistically significant changes between the groups in family functioning or in body weight. Among the biochemical variables, only cholesterol showed a significant reduction (p = 0.47). Greater mobility of the family towards more functional behaviors was found in the group that received the intervention, and also in this group, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values decreased (p < 0.001), and the use of antihypertensive, anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs, as well. Conclusions: Family psychotherapeutic intervention can favor the control of blood pressure, reduce the doses of antihypertensive, anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs and it can help to transition to better functionally family states.

Resumen Antecedentes: La psicoterapia familiar ha demostrado tener un impacto positivo en la evolución de enfermos con trastornos psicosomáticos, y en aquellos con hipertensión arterial arterial pudiera mejorar el nivel de control de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de una intervención en psicoterapia familiar en pacientes con hipertensión arterial sistémica no controlada. Método: Estudio con grupos comparados. 15 pacientes hipertensos no controlados, asignados a dos grupos: un de intervención, con 10 pacientes que recibieron psicoterapia familiar, y otro de control con 5 pacientes. En ambos grupos se continuó con el tratamiento farmacológico indicado por expertos. Se compararon ambos grupos antes y después de la intervención respecto a calidad de vida (InCaViSa), funcionamiento familiar (Escala de Funcionamiento Familiar), presión arterial sistólica y diastólica, índice de masa corporal, glucosa, colesterol, triglicéridos, ácido úrico y creatinina. Resultados: Hubo una mejoría cualitativa en los dominios de la escala InCaViSa para estimar la calidad de vida en el grupo de intervención y no hubo cambios estadísticamente significativos entre los grupos en cuanto a funcionamiento familiar y peso corporal. Entre las variables bioquímicas, solo el colesterol mostró una reducción significativa (p = 0.47). Se encontró una mayor movilidad de la familia hacia comportamientos más funcionales en el grupo que recibió la intervención, y también en este grupo disminuyeron las cifras de presión sistólica y diastólica (p < 0.001), así como el uso de antihipertensivos, ansiolíticos y antidepresivos. Conclusiones: La intervención psicoterapéutica familiar puede favorecer el control de la presión arterial, reducir las dosis de antihipertensivos, ansiolíticos y antidepresivos, y ayudar en la transición a estados de mejor funcionalidad familiar.

Abstract Due to rising concerns for environmental and human health, many toxic compounds, such as auxin-based herbicides, have been tested in relation their toxicity effect. Especially cyto- and phytotoxic assays have been performed on a number monocot and eudicot plant species. In these approaches the toxicity level of the auxin is compared to a positive control – usually a commercial compound with known effects and chemical similarity to the target compound. However, many target compounds still lack an indication of an adequate positive control. Here, we evaluate the phytotoxic and cytotoxic effect of the auxins 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dicamba, and picloram in order test their potential use as positive controls. All tested auxinic herbicides showed clastogenic and aneugenic effect mechanisms. The results indicate 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid as the most phyto- and cytotoxic in the discontinuous method in Lactuca sativa L. and Allium cepa L., and also in the continuous method in A. cepa. Thus, we suggest 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid as a positive control for future mutagenesis studies involving new auxins. For studies with L. sativa in continuous method, we recommend the auxin picloram as positive control as this one was the only one which allowed the development of roots.

Abstract Herbicides are agrochemicals applied in the control of weeds. With the frequent and repetitive use of these substances, serious problems have been reported. Compounds of natural origin and their derivatives are attractive options to obtain new compounds with herbicidal properties. By aiming to develop compounds with potentiated herbicidal activity, phenoxyacetic acids were synthesized from eugenol and guaiacol. The synthesized compounds were characterized and the herbicidal potential of phenoxyacetic acids and precursors was evaluated through bioassays regarding the germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa and Sorghum bicolor seedlings, with the induction of DNA damage. The induction of changes in the mitotic cycle of meristematic cells of roots of L. sativa was also analyzed. At the concentration of 3 mmol L-1, phenols and their respective phenoxyacetic acids presented phytotoxic and cytotoxic activities in L. sativa and S. bicolor. Eugenol and guaiacol also presented genotoxic action in L. sativa. The toxic effect of eugenoxyacetic acid was more pronounced in L. sativa than in S. bicolor, similar to the commercial 2,4-D herbicide. Molecular properties of the phenols and their derivatives phenoxyacetic acids were compared with the ones obtained for the herbicide 2,4-D, where it was found a correlation between their molecular properties and bioactivity.

Objective: To conduct a geospatial analysis of suicide deaths among young people in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, and evaluate their association with socioeconomic and spatial determinants. Methods: Data were obtained from the Mortality Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Data on suicide mortality rates (SMR) were extracted for three age groups (15-19, 20-24, and 25-29 years) from two 5-year periods (1998-2002 and 2008-2012). Geospatial data were analyzed through exploratory spatial data analysis. We applied Bayesian networks algorithms to explore the network structure of the socioeconomic predictors of SMR. Results: We observed spatial dependency in SMR in both periods, revealing geospatial clusters of high SMR. Our results show that socioeconomic deprivation at the municipality level was an important determinant of suicide in the youth population in Paraná, and significantly influenced the formation of high-risk SMR clusters. Conclusion: While youth suicide is multifactorial, there are predictable geospatial and sociodemographic factors associated with high SMR among municipalities in Paraná. Suicide among youth aged 15-29 occurs in geographic clusters which are associated with socioeconomic deprivation. Rural settings with poor infrastructure and development also correlate with increased SMR clusters.

Two types of manganese oxide were investigated for the removal/degradation of Orange G (OG) dye in aqueous solution. One manganese oxide (pyrolusite) was obtained commercially and the other (birnessite) was prepared according to the polyol method by means of the oxidation of MnII hydroxide by H2O2. Both materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption at 77 K. The effects of agitation time, pH, and MnO2 dose on the degradation of OG by the birnessite and pyrolusite were evaluated. Approximately 90 and 99% decoloration of OG (10 mg L-1) was obtained after 30 min of stirring with 0.20 g L-1 of birnessite or pyrolusite, respectively. The decoloration and increased intensity of absorbance bands in the UV-visible spectrum were indicative of a degradation process that followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The findings demonstrated the high efficiency of different types of manganese oxides for removal of this organic pollutant from waters.

Resumo Tetranychus ludeni danifica plantas de batata-doce. O desenvolvimento de pragas pode variar entre genótipos de plantas. O objetivo foi identificar a preferência de T. ludeni para genótipos de Ipomoea batatas do banco de germoplasma da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM). Infestações naturais deste ácaro foram observadas em 54 genótipos de batata doce plantados em vasos e mantidos em estufa. Três folhas infestadas por ácaros, de cada genótipo, foram coletadas e analisadas. Tetranychus ludeni mostrou diferentes taxas de crescimento populacional entres os genótipos. O genótipo BD 29 foi altamente suscetível, os BD 08, BD 57, BD 17 e Espanhola foram moderadamente suscetíveis e os outros 49 genótipos mostraram baixa suscetibilidade ao ácaro.

Abstract Tetranychus ludeni damages the sweet potato. Pest development can vary between plant genotypes. The objective was to identify the preference of Tetranychus ludeni for Ipomoea batatas genotypes, from the germplasm bank at the Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM). Natural infestations of this mite were observed on 54 sweet potato genotypes in potted, in a greenhouse. Three mite-infested leafs of each genotype were collected and analyzed. The red mite showed different population density rate in genotypes. The BD 29 genotype was found to be highly susceptible, the BD 08, BD 57, BD 17 and Espanhola genotypes were moderately susceptible, and the others forty-nine genotypes showed low susceptibility to the mite.

ABSTRACT Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were built to predict coagulant (Model I) and alkalizer (Model II) dosages given raw and treated water parameters from a water clarifying process. Different ANN architectures were tested and optimal results were obtained with [10-10-10-01] and [08-12-12-01] nodes of input, hidden and output layers for Models I and II, respectively. Two algorithms based on GUM-S1weredevelopedto evaluate the artificial neural network parameter uncertainty and the coverage interval of model outputs. The results show that these algorithms can provide a better set of parameters for the ANN compared with the traditional training method. The present research provides a unique unifying view that considers neural networks and uncertainty analysis in a well-documented industrial case study.

The phytochemical investigation of the alkaloid-rich fraction obtained from the leaves of Guatteria pogonopus Mart. (Annonaceae) allowed the isolation and identification for the first time in this species of: (+)-nornuciferine (1), a mixture of 1 and (+)-anonaine (2), (+)-isocorydine (3), (+)-nuciferine (4), (+)-roemerine (5), (-)-tetrahydropseudocolumbamine (6), a mixture of 6, liriodenine (9) and lysicamine (10), a mixture of 1,2,9-trimethoxy-10-hydroxyaporphine (7) and bulbocapnine (8), 9, 10, and (+)-N-methyllindicarpine (11). Compounds 6, 7, 8, and 11 have not been previously reported in the family Annonaceae. Furthermore, the formerly synthetic 1,2,9-trimethoxyaporfin-10-ol (7) is described for the first time as a natural aporphine alkaloid herein. The chemical structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR as well as in comparison with data previously reported in the literature. The cytotoxic activity of the alkaloids was evaluated against tumor (B16-F10, HepG2, HL-60, and K562) and non-tumor (PBMC) cell lines. Alkaloid 1 presented significant activity against HepG2 cell lines with IC50 of 9.60 µmol L-1 while the mixture of 6, 9 and 10 displayed strong cytotoxic activity against HL-60 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.41 an 8.50 µmol L-1, respectively.

ABSTRACT Ucides cordatus is a relevant fishery resource of Brazilian mangroves and requires legal normative to sustainable use based on stock assessment and management. This study evaluated some population parameters (structure, density, abundance, fishery potential and stock) of this crab species in Brazil Southeast (São Paulo, State), discussing the use of the results to delineate fishery management strategies. Density was monthly evaluated (September 1998 to August 1999), using five sample quadrats of 2x2 m. Density (ind.m-2) was indirectly estimated by counting the opened (with biogenic activity) and closed galleries, and contrasted with flooding level by tides using the vertical distribution of macroalgae in the base of trees. Density of U. cordatus ranges from 2 to 11 ind.m-2 (6±2 ind.m-2) and statistical difference occurred among monthly means (F=11.58; p=0.000). The relationship density vs. tidal flooding indicated a decrease of U. cordatus density in mangroves with higher levels of tidal flooding (r=−0.94; p=0.001). The total abundance of U. cordatus was estimated in 63.7 millions of crabs in 10.61 km2, with a reduction of 34.9% due to total mortality discount. Estimates like that are uncommon in literature, and could be used for fishery forecasts, allowing improvement by the introduction of new variables to be known in the future.

RESUMO O lodo de esgoto, proveniente do tratamento da fase líquida dos esgotos domésticos se tornou uma preocupação ambiental por três motivos principais: possui em sua composição patógenos, metais pesados e compostos orgânicos que são nocivos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente; grandes volumes são gerados diariamente; e escassez de espaços para dispô-lo de forma adequada. A presente pesquisa tem por objetivo avaliar a possibilidade de aproveitamento deste resíduo, após processo de calcinação, como adição mineral na produção de concretos. Foram produzidos concretos de alto desempenho com teores de substituição de 5% e 10%, em massa, de cimento Portland por cinza de lodo de esgoto (CLE). Para avaliar a influência da cinza foram realizados ensaios físicos e mecânicos. Os resultados mostraram que as misturas contendo CLE apresentaram resistência à compressão inferior à referência. Em relação à absortividade, porosidade e penetração acelerada por íons cloreto, as misturas contendo cinza apresentaram reduções comparadas à referência, indicando que a CLE proporcionou refinamento da estrutura de poros comprovado pela porosimetria por intrusão de mercúrio.

ABSTRACT Sewage sludge originated from the process of treatment of wastewater has become an environmental issue for three main reasons: contains pathogens, heavy metals and organic compounds that are harmful to the environmental and human health; high volumes are daily generated; and shortage of landfill sites for proper disposal. This research deals with the viability study of sewage sludge utilization, after calcination process, as mineral admixture in the production of concrete. High-performance concretes were produced with replacement content of 5% and 10% by weight of Portland cement with sewage sludge ash (SSA). The influence of this ash was analyzed through physical and mechanical tests. Analysis showed that the mixtures containing SSA have lower values of compressive strength than the reference. The results of absorptivity, porosity and accelerated penetration of chloride ions, presents that mixtures containing ash showed reductions compared to the reference. This indicates that SSA provided refinement of the pore structure, which was confirmed by mercury intrusion porosimetry test.

ABSTRACT The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 2 billion people worldwide have already had contact with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 373 million have become chronic carriers. Hepatitis B is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to a large number of deaths annually. Both viral factors and the host immune response have been implicated in the pathogenesis and clinical result of HBV infection. Many Brazilian cities, including the cities of the northern region of the state of Espírito Santo are located in regions with little health infrastructure. Our study performed an epidemiological analysis of cases of Hepatitis B in São Mateus, using methodology of Geographic Information System (GIS), aiming to raise the number of disease cases, establishing preventive measures to control the disease, improving the quality of life of people affected by this pathology. The city of São Mateus had the largest number of reported cases of hepatitis B northern region of Espírito Santo. The age group with the highest number of hepatitis B notifications was 20-49 years, mostly females. The major forms of contact with HBV in these cities were dental treatment, use of injectable medications, surgical procedures and multiple sexual partners.