Abstract We investigated the changes in the physical structure of cellulose recovered from soybean and rice hulls treated with the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim][Cl]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([bmim][Ac]). The characterization was carried out by a combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Regenerated cellulose from soybean hull showed loss of crystallinity and high structural disruption caused by both ionic liquid treatments as compared to the untreated material. In contrast, rice hull presented only a small structural disruption when treated with [bmim][Ac] and was practically unaffected by [bmim][Cl], showing that this biomass residue is recalcitrance towards physico-chemical treatments, possibly as a consequence of its high composition content in silica. These results suggest the use of soybean hull as a substrate to be treated with ionic liquids in the preparation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates to be used in second-generation ethanol production, whereas other methods should be considered to treat rice hull biomass.

RESUMO: A grande diversidade de espécies vegetais nas pastagens do cerrado brasileiro com características ecofisilógicas diferenciadas indica a possibilidade de encontrar no conteúdo celular dessa flora compostos químicos com potencial para uso na agricultura, saúde humana e animal. Para comprovação dessa hipótese, serão necessárias três etapas: a prospecção fitoquímica, a caracterização dos metabólitos secundários e os estudos sobre as atividades biológicas desses metabólitos presentes nessas plantas. Nesta pesquisa foi traçado o perfil químico dos metabólitos secundários presentes em cinco espécies do cerrado brasileiro (Davilla elliptica, Remijia ferrugínea, Luehea paniculata, Anacardium occidentale e Acosmium dasycarpum). A coleta das plantas foi realizada em áreas de pastagem do município de Felício dos Santos, Minas Gerais. As amostras foram secas e submetidas a dois tipos de extrato (etanólico e hexânico). Empregando reações químicas específicas, constatou-se nos extratos hexânicos a presença de cumarinas, triterpenos/esteroides, e antracenosídeos e, nos extratos etanólicos, de alcaloides, triterpenos/esteroides, flavonoides, taninos, compostos redutores e antocianinas. As espécies apresentaram diversificadas classes de compostos. Entretanto, em todas as espécies foram encontrados triterpenos/esteroides, taninos, compostos redutores e antocianinas, sendo o emprego do solvente etanol o mais eficiente na extração dos compostos. A espécie D. elliptica foi a que apresentou o maior número de classes de compostos. Considerando a sua ampla aplicação na medicina popular, justificam-se novos estudos sobre atividade biológica dos diferentes metabólitos nas áreas agrícola e da saúde.

ABSTRACT: The great diversity of plant species in pastures of the Brazilian Cerrado with distinct ecophysiological characteristics indicates the possibility of finding, in the cellular content of this flora, chemical compounds with potential for use in agriculture and human and animal health. Three steps are necessary to prove this hypothesis: phytochemical prospecting, characterization of secondary metabolites, and studies on the biological activities of these metabolites present in these plants. The chemical profile of secondary metabolites present in five species of the Brazilian Cerrado (Davilla elliptica, Remijia ferruginea, Luehea paniculata, Anacardium occidentale, and Acosmium dasycarpum) was traced in this research. These plant species were collected in pasture areas of Felício dos Santos, Minas Gerais. The samples were dried and submitted to two types of extract (ethanolic and hexanic). By using specific chemical reactions, the presence of coumarins, triterpenes/steroids, and anthracenosides was observed in the hexanic extracts, while the presence of alkaloids, triterpenes/steroids, flavonoids, tannins, reducing compounds, and anthocyanins was observed in the ethanolic extracts. The species presented diverse classes of compounds. However, triterpenes/steroids, tannins, reducing compounds and anthocyanins were found in all species, being the use of the solvent ethanol the most efficient in extracting the compounds. The species D. elliptica presented the highest number of classes of compounds. The widespread application in folk medicine justifies further studies on the biological activity of different metabolites in agriculture and health areas.

Objetivou-se avaliar a variabilidade do valor nutritivo entre cultivares de cana-de-açúcar, estimar a correlação entre digestibilidade e produtividade da planta e definir características químicas e agronômicas mais correlacionadas ao valor nutritivo. Vinte cultivares de cana-de-açúcar foram cultivados em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em Campos, RJ, Brasil. As plantas foram colhidas com Brix superior a 18%, a partir de 370 dias do corte da segunda soca. Características agronômicas e químicas e as degradabilidades ruminais in situ da FDN e da MS foram avaliadas. A produtividade foi 21,2±5,7t de MS/ha, e a degradabilidade ruminal da MS (DEG MS) foi 57,1±2,6% do incubado (média±DP). A degradabilidade ruminal da FDN foi 19,8±2,42% do incubado. Nenhuma variável avaliada foi correlacionada à degradabilidade da FDN (P>0,10). Obter cultivares que conciliam alta produtividade com alta DEG MS é viável, pois a correlação tanto fenotípica quanto genética entre esses caracteres foi pequena. A h2para a DEG MS foi superior a 85%. Variáveis indiretamente correlacionadas à DEG MS tiveram menor h2 que o desta variável. Canas com baixo conteúdo de fibra, com colmos curtos e com alta relação entre colmos e folhas, foram mais digestíveis.

The objective was to evaluate the variability of nutritive value among sugarcane cultivars, to estimate the correlation between plant digestibility and productivity, and to define agronomical and chemical traits most correlated with nutritive value. Twenty sugarcane cultivars were cultivated in a completely randomized block design with four replicates in Campos, RJ, Brazil. Plants were harvested when the Brix was superior to 18%, starting at 370 days after the second ratoon cut. Agronomical and chemical traits and the ruminal NDF and DM in situ degradability were evaluated. Productivity was 21.2±5.7t of DM/ha and ruminal DM degradability (DM DEG) was 57.1±2.6% of incubated (mean±SD). Ruminal NDF degradability was 19.8±2.42% of incubated, and none of the variables evaluated were correlated to the NDF degradability (P>0.10). Obtaining cultivars that conciliate high productivity to high digestibility is feasible, since the phenotypic and the genetic correlation between these traits were low. The estimated h2for the DM DEG was superior to 85%. Variables indirectly correlated to the digestibility had smaller h2 than the one for this variable. Sugarcane with low fiber content, short stalk length and high stalk to leaves ratio were more digestible.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar a comunidade daninha presente em áreas de pastagens. O levantamento fitossociológico foi realizado nos meses de novembro e dezembro de 2009 em três regiões: duas localizadas no município de Tangará da Serra-MT (região A = áreas próximas à cidade; e região B = áreas presentes no Assentamento Antonio Conselheiro) e uma no município de Barra do Bugres-MT (região C). Em cada região foram analisadas cinco propriedades, tendo cada uma 10 parcelas de 25 m². Nas parcelas, foram realizadas a contagem e identificação das espécies daninhas. Os dados foram analisados por meio de cálculos de densidade, frequência, abundância, densidade relativa, frequência relativa, abundância relativa, índice de valor de importância (IVI) e índice de similaridade. Foram identificadas 38 espécies daninhas, distribuídas em 18 famílias, sendo Asteraceae (7), Fabaceae (6), Arecaceae (3), Euforbiaceae (3) e Poaceae (3) as mais representativas em número de espécies. As espécies que mais ocorreram na área foram: região A - Sida spp. (IVI 127,93) e Eragrostis plana (IVI: 42,18); região B - Eragrostis plana (IVI: 54,78), Mimosa wedelliana (IVI:52,39) e Sida spp. (IVI: 50,30); e região C - Sida spp. (IVI: 73,92) e Mimosa wedelliana (IVI: 26,55). Houve similaridade expressiva entre as regiões A e B (52,63%) e entre as regiões B e C (50,98%).

Objective of this study was to identify the weed community in areas of pasture. The phyto-sociological survey was conducted during November and December, 2009 in three regions: two located in Tangará da Serra-MT (region A = areas surrounding the town; and region B = areas in the Antonio Conselheiro Settlement and one area in Barra of the Bugres-MT (region C). Five properties were analyzed in each region, each containing 10 plots of 25 m2. The weed species were counted and identified in the plots. Data were analyzed by calculating density, frequency, abundance, relative density, relative frequency, relative abundance, importance value index (IVI), and similarity index. Thirty-eight weed species were identified, distributed among 18 families, with Asteraceae (7), Fabaceae (6), Arecaceae (3), Euforbiaceae (3) and Poaceae (3) being the most representative in number of species. The species most frequently found were: region A - Sida spp. (IVI: 127.93) and Eragrostis plana (IVI: 42.18); region B - Eragrostis plana (IVI: 54.78), Mimosa wedelliana (IVI: 52.39), and Sida spp. (IVI: 50.30); and region C - Sida spp. (IVI: 73.92), and Mimosa wedelliana (IVI: 26.55). A significant similarity was found between regions A and B (52.63%) and between regions B and C (50.98%).

Previous studies on Combretum leprosum, a tree growing in the Northeastern states of Brazil, have shown antinociceptive effects of the ethanol extract of its leaves and bark, but studies examining its constituents are rare. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of the hydroalcoholic fraction (HF) of one of its constituents, the flavonoid (-) epicatechin (EPI), administered orally to mice (20-30 g) in models of chemical nociception, and the possible mechanisms involved. Different doses of HF (62.5 to 500 mg/kg) and EPI (12.5 to 50 mg/kg) were evaluated in models of abdominal writhing, glutamate, capsaicin, and formalin in animals pretreated with different antagonists: naloxone, ondansetron, yohimbine, ketanserin, pindolol, atropine, and caffeine in the abdominal writhing test. To determine the role of nitric oxide, the animals were pretreated with L-arginine (600 mg/kg, ip) in the glutamate test. The HF was effective (P < 0.05) in all protocols at different doses and EPI was effective in the abdominal writhing, capsaicin and glutamate tests (P < 0.05) at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. However, in the formalin test it was only effective in the second phase at a dose of 25 mg/kg. The antinociceptive effect of HF was inhibited when HF was associated with yohimbine (0.15 mg/kg), ketanserine (0.03 mg/kg), and L-arginine (600 mg/kg), but not with the other antagonists. HF and EPI were effective in models of chemical nociception, with the suggested participation of the adrenergic, serotonergic and nitrergic systems in the antinociceptive effect of HF.

Bone mass loss is a major complication of chronic cholestatic liver disease (CCD). However, the long-term impact of CCD on bone mass acquisition is unknown. We longitudinally assessed bone mineral density (BMD) and factors involved in bone remodeling in 9 children and adolescents with CCD Child-Pugh A (5 boys/4 girls) and in 13 controls (6 boys/7 girls). The groups were evaluated twice, at baseline (T0) and after 3 years (T1), when osteocalcin, deoxypyridinoline, 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, parathyroid hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and BMD (L1-L4, proximal femur and total body) were determined. Serum levels of receptor activator for nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin were measured only at T1. Lumbar spine BMD was reanalyzed twice: after adjustment for bone age and to compensate for the height factor. Volumetric density was also estimated mathematically in L2-L4. The BMD of L1-L4 was lower in the CCD group (Z-score at T0: control = -1.2 ± 0.8 vs CCD = -2.2 ± 1.4, P < 0.05; T1: control = -0.7 ± 0.8 vs CCD = -2.1 ± 1.1, P < 0.05). Osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline were similar for the two groups. The CCD group presented lower IGF-I (Z-score at T1: control = 1.4 ± 2.8 vs CCD = -1.5 ± 1.0, P < 0.05) and RANKL (control = 0.465 ± 0.275 vs CCD = 0.195 ± 0.250 pM, P < 0.05) than control. Children with compensated CCD Child-Pugh A showed early impairment of bone acquisition, with the impact being more severe in an initial phase and then tapering in a slowly progressive way. Reduction in endocrine IGF-I has a crucial role in this process.

A alelopatia pode oferecer novas substâncias químicas com propriedades herbicidas menos prejudiciais ao ambiente e ao homem do que os sintéticos em uso na atual agricultura. Nesse contexto, foi avaliado o efeito de extratos de Annona crassiflora sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento de Brachiaria brizantha, Euphorbia heterophylla e Ipomoea grandifolia, bem como o efeito do extrato mais promissor sobre a soja (Glycine max). Para isso, foram preparados extratos hidroalcoólicos de sementes, folhas e caules de A. crassiflora, a fim de serem avaliados em testes de germinação e desenvolvimento das plantas daninhas. O extrato da parte mais promissora da planta foi fracionado, utilizando-se solventes em ordem crescente de polaridade. Em relação às partes da planta de A. crassiflora avaliadas, o extrato hidroalcoólico preparado a partir das sementes proporcionou maior interferência nas plantas daninhas; a germinação das sementes de Brachiaria brizantha e Euphorbia heterophylla foi totalmente inibida por esse extrato. De modo geral, as espécies receptoras foram mais sensíveis à fração acetato de etila, mas esta não influenciou o desenvolvimento da soja. Portanto, A. crassiflora apresenta potencial para o manejo de B. brizantha, E. heterophylla e I. grandifolia, em pós-emergência na cultura da soja.

Allelopathy can offer new substances with herbicidal properties less harmful to the environment and humans than the synthetic compounds traditionally used in agriculture. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of extracts of Annona crassiflora on germination and growth of Brachiaria brizantha, Euphorbia heterophylla and Ipomoea grandifolia, as well as to determine the effect of the most promising extract fraction on soybean (Glycine max). Thus, hydroalcoholic extracts from seeds, leaves and stems of A. crassiflora were prepared and evaluated in germination tests as well as root and hypocotyl development of the weeds. The extract of the most promising part of the plant was fractioned using solvents with increasing polarity order. The hydroalcoholic extract, prepared from A. crassiflora seeds was found to have the greatest effect on the weeds. Also, the germination of B. brizantha and E. heterophylla was completely inhibited by the extract. In general, the species were more sensitive to the ethyl acetate fraction, although this extract did not interfere in the soybean development. The results obtained allowed to conclude that A. crassiflora presents a good potential for the management of B. brizantha, E. heterophylla and I. grandifolia, in soybean post-emergence.

This article discusses some questions related to human resources that act on Brazilian health system. At the beginning, it identifies the trends on health human resources in the last years. Then it shows on a brief discussion the health system reform, pointing out changes in the health model design through the implementation of the Family Health Program. This program tries to reorder the health care model, bringing the primary health care, in order to substitute the traditional model, designed to the cure of diseases and centered on hospitals. It also points out important changes on work conditions, such as: doctors' and dentists' no liberal work, low salaries, consultations paid by the HMO's, flexibilization of work, loss of work guarantees. Finally, it identifies serious problems in the Family Health Program, especially those related to the instability of work process and decreasing of social protection of workers who act on this program.

El presente artículo examina algunas cuestiones relacionadas con los recursos humanos que actúan en el sistema de salud brasileño. Identifica, inicialmente, cuestiones de recursos humanos que se expresan como tendencia en el sector salud en los últimos años. A continuación, se hace un breve comentario sobre la reforma del sistema de salud, apuntando cambios en el diseño del modelo de salud por medio de la implementación del Programa de Salud de la Familia, que busca reorientar el modelo asistencial a partir de la atención básica, en sustitución del modelo tradicional de asistencia dirigido hacia la cura de enfermedades y el hospital. Señala cambios importantes en las condiciones de trabajo de médicos, odontólogos, etc., tales como bajos salarios, pluriempleo, consultas pagadas por seguro-salud, flexibilización de los contratos de trabajo o pérdida de las garantías laborales. Por último, identifica problemas serios con relación a este Programa de Salud de la Familia, especialmente los que se refieren a la inestabilidad del proceso de trabajo y a la disminución de la protección social de los trabajadores que actúan en el programa.

This article discusses some questions related to human resources that act on Brazilian health system. At the beginning, it identifies the trends on health human resources in the last years. Then it shows on a brief discussion the health system reform, pointing out changes in the health model design through the implementation of the Family Health Program. This program tries to reorder the health care model, bringing the primary health care, in order to substitute the traditional model, designed to the cure of diseases and centered on hospitals. It also points out important changes on work conditions, such as: doctors' and dentists' no liberal work, low salaries, consultations paid by the HMO's, flexibilization of work, loss of work guarantees. Finally, it identifies serious problems in the Family Health Program, especially those related to the instability of work process and decreasing of social protection of workers who act on this program.

El presente artículo examina algunas cuestiones relacionadas con los recursos humanos que actúan en el sistema de salud brasileño. Identifica, inicialmente, cuestiones de recursos humanos que se expresan como tendencia en el sector salud en los últimos años. A continuación, se hace un breve comentario sobre la reforma del sistema de salud, apuntando cambios en el diseño del modelo de salud por medio de la implementación del Programa de Salud de la Familia, que busca reorientar el modelo asistencial a partir de la atención básica, en sustitución del modelo tradicional de asistencia dirigido hacia la cura de enfermedades y el hospital. Señala cambios importantes en las condiciones de trabajo de médicos, odontólogos, etc., tales como bajos salarios, pluriempleo, consultas pagadas por seguro-salud, flexibilización de los contratos de trabajo o pérdida de las garantías laborales. Por último, identifica problemas serios con relación a este Programa de Salud de la Familia, especialmente los que se refieren a la inestabilidad del proceso de trabajo y a la disminución de la protección social de los trabajadores que actúan en el programa.

Belostoma anurum foi criada no laboratório em condição semi-natural de fotoperíodo. A taxa de mortalidade durante o período pós-embrionário (38,6 ± 0,7 dias) foi de 26,3%. Durante este período a predação média de B. glabrata foi de 99,0 ± 9,4 caramujos. A média de incremento de comprimento e de peso seco por estádio ninfal foi de 1,4 ± 0,1 e 2,8 ± 0,5, respectivamente. A predação por adultos de B. anurum pode ser dividida em duas fases significativamente distintas: fase I (4,8 ± 1,4 caramujos/dia) e fase II (1,8 ± 0,5 caramujos/ dia). A maior predação verificada na fase I deve-se provavelmente à maturação sexual do belostomatídeo.

Belostoma anurum was reared under laboratory conditions. Specimens were exposed to semi-natural conditions of photo period. The mortality rate was 26.3% during the post embryonic period (38.6 ± 0.7 days). During this time the average predation of Biomphalaria glabrata was of 99.0 ± 9.4 snails. The mean increment ratio of length and dry weight per instar was of 1.4 ± 0.1 and 2.8 ± 0.5, respectively. The predation by B. anurum adults can be divided into two different periods: phase I (4.8 ± 1.4 snails/day) and phase II (1.8 ± 0.5 snails/day). The higher predation in phase I suggested the sexual maturation of the belostomatid.