Niobium pentoxide shows an interesting reactivity that allows the control of different aspects of its morphology and chemistry. In this study, Nb2O5 nanoparticles were modified with protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) and tris(ethynylphenyl) pyrene derivative (PyPh3) by using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as linkage group and used as photosensitizers against lung cancer. The antitumor photoactivity against the A549 tumor cell line as a model of in vitro study showed half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) ca. 15 μmol L-1 for both materials and the absence of dark activity, indicating the viability of dye-modified Nb2O5 as a photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent. chemistry NbO Nb O Nb2O PPIX (PPIX trisethynylphenyl tris ethynylphenyl tris(ethynylphenyl PyPh3 PyPh (PyPh3 3aminopropyltriethoxysilane aminopropyltriethoxysilane 3 cancer A A54 IC50 IC (IC50 ca 1 L1 L L- activity dyemodified dye PDT (PDT agent (PyPh A5 IC5 (IC5 (IC

ABSTRACT Salinity is considered an obstacle to the production system that limits the growth and yield of crops around the world. Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies to minimize the effects of salinity and increase yield, especially in the semi-arid region of the Northeast, which has limited water resources of good quality for irrigation. The objective was to evaluate the effects of applying paclobutrazol on zucchini crop under salt stress. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a randomized block experimental design, in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, with two salinity levels of irrigation water (0.6 and 4.0 dS m-1) and five concentrations of paclobutrazol - PBZ (0; 2; 4; 6 and 8 g L-1), and with four repetitions. Application of 8 mg L-1 PBZ increases stem diameter in zucchini under irrigation of 4.0 dS m-1. Chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents increase with PBZ concentration of 4 mg L-1 and irrigation of 0.6 dS m-1. PBZ concentration of 4 mg L-1 increases the relative water content while reducing electrolyte leakage in zucchini under salinities of 4.0 and 0.6 dS m-1 respectively. Root, stem and leaf dry mass of zucchini increases when plants are irrigated with water of 0.6 dS m-1 and subjected to PBZ concentration of 8 mg L-1. PBZ concentrations do not attenuate the effects of salinity on leaf area, crown volume and diameter, vegetative vigor index, chlorophyll a and carotenoids. world Therefore semiarid semi arid Northeast stress greenhouse design scheme 06 0 (0. 40 4. m1 m 1 (0 L1, L1 L , L-1) repetitions L- m1. 1. 0. m- respectively Root L1. area index carotenoids (

RESUMO A salinidade é considerada um obstáculo ao sistema de produção que limita o crescimento e a produtividade das culturas em todo o mundo. Dessa forma, é essencial desenvolver estratégias para minimizar os efeitos da salinidade e aumentar a produtividade, especialmente na região semiárida do Nordeste, que possui recursos hídrico limitados de boa qualidade para a irrigação. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de paclobutrazol no cultivo de abobrinha sob estresse salino. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, no delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2 × 5, sendo dois níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação (0,6 e 4,0 dS m-1) e cinco concentrações de PBZ (0; 2; 4; 6 e 8 g L-1), e com quatro repetições. A aplicação de paclobutrazol de 8 mg L-1 aumenta o diâmetro do caule em abobrinha sob irrigação de 4,0 dS m-1. Os teores de clorofila b e total aumenta com concentração 4 mg L-1 de paclobutrazol e irrigação de 0,6 dS m-1. As concentração de PBZ de 4 mg L-1 eleva o teor relativo de água enquanto reduz o extravasamento de eletrólitos sob salinidade de 4,0 e 0,6 dS m-1 respectivamente. A fitomassa seca da raiz, caule e folha da abobrinha aumenta quando irrigada com água de 0,6 dS m-1 e concentração de 8 mg L-1 de paclobutrazol. As concentrações de PBZ não atenuam os efeitos da salinidade sob as variáveis área foliar, volume e diâmetro de copa, índice de vigor vegetativo, clorofila a e carotenoides. mundo forma Nordeste Objetivouse Objetivou se salino vegetação casualizados 5 06 0 (0, 40 4, m1 m 1 (0 L1, L1 L , L-1) repetições L- m1. 1. 0, m- respectivamente raiz foliar copa vegetativo carotenoides (

Abstract The genus Stylosanthes has economic importance in semi-arid regions and requires studies that reveal complex relationships between species involving different ploidies. The aim of this study was to cytogenetically investigate accessions of Stylosanthes identified as S. scabra, in order to properly identify the number, morphology, and pattern of distribution of heterochromatin, analyzing the karyological variability of these species. Accessions with 2n=40 and 2n=20 were identified, exhibiting semi-reticulate interphase nuclei, symmetric karyotype, varied morphology, with differences in average chromosomal size, and genome length. The analysis with the fluorochromes chromomycin (CMA) and 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) allowed the visualization of two CMA+ blocks in the subterminal region of the short arm in all accessions, and DAPI+/CMA- bands in S. scabra accessions. This suggests that not only chromosomal rearrangements, but also changes in the composition of heterochromatin, may have occurred during the speciation of this genus, and that S. scabra may be undergoing chromosomal evolution based on the observed karyological differences. In addition to the ploidy level, the distribution pattern of CMA+ heterochromatin reinforces the separation between S. scabra and S. seabrana. Thus, this genus represents an interesting group of plants for further studies on the content and quantity of repetitive and non-repetitive DNA sequences. semiarid semi arid ploidies S number morphology 2n40 n 2n 40 2n=4 2n20 20 2n=2 semireticulate reticulate nuclei karyotype size length CMA (CMA 4,6diamidino2phenylindole 46diamidino2phenylindole diamidinophenylindole 4 ,6 diamidino 2 phenylindole 6 DAPI (DAPI DAPI+/CMA DAPICMA rearrangements level seabrana Thus nonrepetitive non sequences 2n4 2n= 2n2 6diamidino2phenylindole ,

RESUMO O declínio-da-goiabeira é uma doença complexa, causada por Meloidogyne enterolobii em interação com Neocosmospora falciformis (sin. Fusarium solani). Por causa disso, a seleção de genótipos resistentes a M. enterolobii dentro do gênero Psidium é muito importante para o controle da doença. A detecção desta resistência em Psidium guajava seria, ainda, de maior impacto. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a reação de P. guajava ‘Paluma’ a diferentes densidades de inóculo de M. enterolobii. Mudas de goiabeira foram inoculadas com 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 e 20000 ovos + juvenis de segundo estádio (J2) de M. enterolobii/planta. Aos 70 e aos 135 dias após a inoculação (DAI), foram avaliadas as massas de matérias frescas de raiz, de parte aérea e de matéria seca de parte aérea, bem como o comprimento de raiz, a altura da planta e o diâmetro do colo. Os números totais de ovos + J2 de M. enterolobii nos sistemas radiculares e os fatores de reprodução foram as variáveis nematológicas determinadas. A multiplicação do nematoide nas raízes não foi proporcional ao aumento da densidade de inóculo inicial e, por isso, nas menores densidades, encontraram-se as melhores respostas de multiplicação do nematoide na cultivar avaliada. Observou-se, então, que, conforme se aumentou a densidade de inóculo, obtiveram-se menores fatores de reprodução médios nas duas avaliações (70 e 135 DAI). declíniodagoiabeira declínio complexa sin. sin (sin solani. solani . solani) disso M seria ainda impacto Assim P ‘Paluma Paluma 500 1000 5000 2000 J (J2 enterolobiiplanta enterolobii/planta 7 13 DAI, DAI , (DAI) raiz colo determinadas isso encontraramse encontraram avaliada Observouse, Observouse Observou se, Observou-se então que obtiveramse obtiveram (7 DAI. DAI) 50 100 200 (J 1 (DAI ( 5 10 20 2

ABSTRACT Guava decline is a complex disease caused by the interaction between Meloidogyne enterolobii and Neocosmospora falciformis (Syn.: Fusarium solani). Thus, selecting M. enterolobii-resistant genotypes within the genus Psidium is essential for controlling this disease, and developing a resistant cultivar of Psidium guajava could significantly impact this issue. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the response of the guava plants of the cultivar Paluma to different densities of M. enterolobii inoculum. Guava seedlings were inoculated with 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 eggs + second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. enterolobii per plant. Root and shoot fresh weights, shoot dry weight, root length, plant height, and stem base diameter were evaluated at 70 and 135 days after inoculation (DAI). Total number of M. enterolobii eggs + J2 in the root system and nematode reproduction factor nematode were assessed. Nematode multiplication in roots was not proportional to increases in initial inoculum density; thus, the best plant responses to nematode multiplication in the evaluated cultivar were found for the lowest tested densities. The reproduction factor decreased as the inoculum density was increased, at both evaluations (70 and 135 DAI). Syn. Syn (Syn. solani. solani . solani) Thus M enterolobiiresistant issue 500 1000 1 000 1,000 5000 5 5,000 10000 10 10,000 20000 20 20,00 secondstage second stage J (J2 weights weight length height 7 13 DAI. DAI (DAI) assessed thus increased (7 DAI) (Syn 50 100 00 1,00 5,00 10,00 2000 2 20,0 (J (DAI ( 0 1,0 5,0 10,0 200 20, 1, 5, 10,

ABSTRACT Melon (Cucumis melo L.) crops are grown in the Semiarid region of Brazil by small, medium, and large farmers, focused on domestic and international markets. However, melon is also grown by family farmers using their own seeds, which are important germplasm for melon breeding programs. Samples of these seeds were collected and stored in the Active Germplasm Bank of Cucurbitaceae from the Northeast Region at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Semiarid), and require more thorough studies for a better understanding of the existing variability. Thus, the objective of this work was to characterize sub-accessions and their respective endogamic progenies to assess the genetic variability between and among these accessions. Two experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design, with three replications, using 11 quantitative and 8 qualitative descriptors: the first using seeds from 17 accessions from natural pollination, and the second using seeds from S1 progenies. Morphological data were used for comparisons between generations. The 17 accessions evaluated originated 24 sub-accessions, denoting variability between and among accessions and sub-accessions. A dendrogram developed based on the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) showed the existing variability and, according to the newest melon classification, the groups identified were: makuwa, subgroup nashi-uri; and momordica and cantalupensis, subgroup prescott. The results showed a probable existence of introgression of alleles between different botanical groups, and some sub-accessions were not identified regarding their group by presenting variations in morphological characteristics, indicating the presence of new botanical groups. Cucumis L. L small medium markets However programs Embrapa Semiarid, , Semiarid) Thus subaccessions sub design replications 1 descriptors pollination S generations 2 subaccessions, accessions, subaccessions. UPGMA (UPGMA classification makuwa nashiuri nashi uri nashi-uri cantalupensis prescott characteristics

RESUMO O cultivo do melão (Cucumis melo L.) no Semiárido brasileiro é realizado por pequenos, médios e grandes agricultores, visando o mercado interno e externo. Contudo, o meloeiro também é cultivado por agricultores familiares que utilizam sementes próprias, as quais constituem germoplasma de grande importância para o melhoramento genético do melão. Amostras destes materiais foram coletadas e estão armazenadas no Banco Ativo de Germoplasma de Cucurbitáceas para o Nordeste Brasileiro, localizado na Embrapa Semiárido, necessitando de estudos mais aprofundados para melhor conhecimento da variabilidade existente. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho, estudar subacessos e suas respectivas progênies endogâmicas para aprofundar o conhecimento da variabilidade genética entre e dentro dos acessos. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em blocos casualizados completos, com três repetições, usando 11 descritores quantitativos e oito qualitativos. O primeiro utilizou sementes de 17 acessos provenientes de polinização livre e, no segundo, sementes de progênies S1. A partir dos dados morfológicos comparou-se as gerações e observou-se que os 17 acessos avaliados deram origem a 24 subacessos, inferindo variabilidade entre e dentro dos acessos e subacessos. O dendrograma feito a partir do método UPGMA constatou a variabilidade existente, e usando a mais nova classificação dos tipos de melões foram identificados os grupos makuwa subgrupo nashiuri, momordica e cantalupensis subgrupo prescott. Provavelmente existe introgressão de alelos entre diferentes grupos botânicos, e alguns subacessos não foram identificados quanto ao seu grupo por apresentar variações em suas características morfológicas, podendo indicar a presença de novos grupos botânicos. Cucumis L. L pequenos externo Contudo próprias Brasileiro existente Assim objetivouse objetivou se trabalho completos repetições 1 qualitativos segundo S1 S comparouse comparou observouse observou 2 nashiuri prescott botânicos morfológicas

Abstract Objective: The association between diabetes and Strongyloides infection remains controversial. This study aimed to detect Strongyloides stercoralis DNA in the feces of patients with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (DM2). Methods: Fecal samples were analyzed via the Lutz, Rugai, and agar plate culture methods. PCR amplification was performed using two targets (PCR-genus and PCR-species) located on the S. stercoralis 18S ribosomal. Results: The positivity for S. stercoralis using parasitological methods was 1.1%. PCR-genus (14.13%) demonstrated a higher positivity than PCR-species (9.78%). Conclusion: The results confirm the greater positivity of the molecular diagnosis in relation to parasitological methods, reinforcing its use as an additional tool for the diagnosis of S. stercoralis infection in patients with DM2 living in endemic areas for this helminthiasis. HIGHLIGHTS Positivity for strongyloidiasis in coproscopic exam was low in diabetic patients. PCR is more sensitive for detecting S. stercoralis infection in diabetic patients. Molecular diagnosis is an important tool for the detection of S. stercoralis.

EXEMPLIFYING THE USE OF MACRO ELEMENTAL MAPPING BY XRF (MA-XRF) SCANNING IN FORENSIC INVESTIGATION OF ARTWORKS. This work exemplifies the potential of employing macro elemental mapping by XRF (MA XRF) scanning in the forensic investigation of artworks. The results of the investigation of two artworks of different styles and periods are presented and discussed. The images provided by MA-XRF scanning have information about the elemental distribution, which is related to pigments used in the artwork. These images bring different information such as: if there are underlying paintings; if a given pigment was used for the purpose of restoration or in the creation. Therefore, through the images, it is possible to obtain information, which refers to the process of creating the artwork and the history of conservation and restoration. Through the results, it was possible to verify that the two artworks are probably false because they present anachronistic pigments with the supposed period of creation. The analyzes were performed using a portable MA-XRF scanning system, and in addition to presenting the utility of the instrument in these investigations, the work also presents possibilities to explore the MA-XRF data through multivariate statistical analysis and image correlation.

RESUMO A salinização do solo é um dos principais problemas ambientais em regiões áridas e semiáridas. Deste modo, objetivou-se avaliar os problemas de salinidade do solo em uma área do Perímetro Irrigado do Baixo-Açu, RN, Brasil, por meio de análise conjunta empregando técnicas de sensoriamento remoto, pedologia e geoestatística. O estudo foi desenvolvido no Perímetro Irrigado do Baixo-Açu (1500 ha), com amostragem da salinidade do solo em 42 pontos amostrais, utilizados para correlacionar com o índice espectral ‘Salinity Index 1’ (SI1). Após a análise espectral selecionou-se um dos lotes identificados com problemas de salinidade, no qual foram realizados estudos pedológicos, para fins de classificação dos problemas de salinidade do solo em superfície e subsuperfície. Posteriormente, no mesmo lote foram amostrados 45 pontos para avaliação da distribuição espacial da salinidade do solo e diagnóstico do problema de salinidade utilizando análise geoestatística. O índice SI1 em áreas com ‘Normalized Difference Vegetation Index’ (NDVI) < 0,33 apresentou a maior correlação com a condutividade elétrica do solo. O solo da área avaliada apresentou horizonte salino em superfície e horizonte salino-sódico em subsuperfície. As áreas mais afetadas pela salinidade são áreas côncavas, com deficiência de drenagem natural.

HIGHLIGHTS Spectral analysis is feasible to identify salinized areas. The most saline areas are lowlands with deficiency of natural drainage. The studied soils are saline in surface and saline-sodic in subsurface.

This study provides a risk assessment and risk maps related to the consumption of water contaminated by Al, Ba, Fe and Pb in an industrial area in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 120 samples of drinking water were collected from 26 locations in the municipality of Barcarena, Pará State. Multiple elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The quantifiable elements in the samples were Al, Ba, Fe and Pb. Risk assessment was performed according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) procedures. Results indicate that the highest potential risk of non-carcinogenic adverse health effects for Al was in São João Island; for Ba, Fe and Pb (hazard quotient (HQ) > 1) were in Porto da Balsa community, in the city of Barcarena and Distrito Industrial community, respectively. Maps showed that areas located near Barcarena’s industrial complex are the most affected by water contamination. Therefore, these populations are at higher risk of non-carcinogenic problems, especially children and the elderly, since the majority of the population resides in these areas. Geospatial analysis contributed to delimiting and analyzing risk-change trends in the region, expanding the scope of results to a decision-making process.

ABSTRACT Approximately 240 million people worldwide are infected by Schistosoma. In Brazil, one of the main intermediate hosts of this parasite is Biomphalaria glabrata snails. The early detection of larval stages in intermediate hosts is an important challenge to public health, but it also represents an opportunity as a new alternative to indicate earlier natural infections before cercariae differentiation and emergence. In this context, we demonstrated that PCR amplification of a 28S gene fragment from the parasite does demonstrate S. mansoni infection in snails 14 days post infection. This conventional polymerase chain reaction amplified clear bands and was able to detect parasitic infection in the intermediate host B. glabrata under experimental conditions. However, we reinforce that this approach requires deeper investigations and further comparisons to confirm its specificity and sensitivity in earlier time points after miracidia infection. This approach has relevant potential as an effective molecular-based strategy for the monitoring of schistosomiasis transmission.

ABSTRACT Sesamum indicum L. has the potential to be cultivated as a forage plant in hot and dry climate regions, and it can be used to increase the food security of a herd. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth, production, and chemical composition of S. indicum compared with conventional forages used for silage production. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with split-plots related to time and four replicates per treatment. The plots consisted of four treatments (Zea mays L., Helianthus annuus L., Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br., and S. indicum), and the subplots were two evaluation periods (2014 and 2016 harvests). Dry forage biomass production differed among the species in the 2014 harvest with values of 25 530, 12 190, 9408, and 9250 kg ha-1 for Z. mays, S. indicum, H. annuus, and P. glaucum, respectively. Maize had a greater variation in forage production between the 2 yr, followed by S. indicum. There were higher dry matter (DM) contents (P < 0.0001) for Z. mays and S. indicum (404.5 and 251.7 g kg-1, respectively). Regarding crude protein, H. annuus and S. indicum had levels of 167.2 and 117.7 g kg-1, respectively. According to the results, it can be inferred that sesame, like millet, provides greater feeding security for ruminant herds in regions with irregular rainfall.

Coprecipitation is one of the most practical methods used to synthesize ferrite nanoparticles. Fine characteristics of these materials can be improved by means of a series of modifications in the synthesis method. In this paper we present a study of influence of glycerol as structure directing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of zinc ferrite nanoparticle, exploring its chelating capacity and oxidation. The studied materials include two series of zinc ferrite samples and its precursors obtained with or without glycerol throughout different stages during the synthesis process. The structural and morphological characteristics were evaluated by means of different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and thermal analysis. The oxidation of glycerol was determined by high-performance liquid chromatograph. The obtained results demonstrate that zinc ferrite crystals synthesized in the presence of glycerol are initially bigger than those synthesized in absence of it, but according to the oxidation process they tend to decrease giving rise to intermediate phases. Interestingly, these samples grow back during more advanced stages and become structurally better organized, compared to the series of samples produced in absence of glycerol. These results indicate that glycerol is capable to modify the synthesis route of zinc ferrite nanoparticles via coprecipitation, acting directly over the size and morphology of the crystals.

The mesoporous material Al-Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41 (Al-MCM-41) was successfully obtained from kaolin, a low cost raw material, by means of hydrothermal route. The process of synthesis of Al-MCM-41 was based on calcination of kaolin, dealumination by acid treatment, hydrothermal synthesis in alkaline medium and surfactant extraction. The characterization of the obtained mesoporous material was carried out by techniques such as: X-ray diffraction, infrared vibrational spectroscopy, 29Si and 27Al solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption. The X-ray diffraction at low angles allowed the determination of the cell parameter, which was 4.02 nm. The analyses of scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed important morphological properties of the synthesized material. N2 adsorption/desorption showed a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area of 1,303 m2 g-1, pore volume of 1.23 cm3 g-1 and average diameter of 2.45 nm. The mesoporous material presented a maximum adsorption capacity of 316 mg g-1 for the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) in a concentration typical of industrial effluents, which makes it a potential adsorbent for MB removal from wastewaters.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Molecular techniques for the detection of pathogens have been shown to be effective diagnostic tools with high sensitivity and short turnaround times. METHODS This study compared five Staphylococcus aureus DNA extraction methods for detection by the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The concentration and purity of the extracted DNA showed that the methods did not yield DNA of significant quality. However, most protocols yielded 100% positivity, even with low DNA concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Although one protocol seemed more efficient than the others, PCR was sensitive enough to allow for detection of S. aureus with all the protocols.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil chemical properties submitted to fertigation with slaughterhouse (SW) and dairies (DW) wastewater. The experiment was conducted in the Environmental Engineering Center and Sanitary of UFLA/MG in PVC columns filled with Dark Red Latosol (Oxisol) and randomly distributed. The treatments applied with nitrogen based load (300 kg ha years-1 of N) consisted of four doses of SW and DW (100, 200, 300 and 400% of the recommendation) and AQT0 control at random. The soil was collected at a depth of 0.30 m and, subsequently, characterized in terms of physical, chemical and physicochemical. The application of treatment of the largest irrigation of DW provided, after 120 days of monitoring, N concentration of 1.85 g kg-1. However, the treatment with AQT0 obtained N concentration of 0.81 g kg-1, in the soil. We observed that the largest irrigation of SW provided increases of 2.62 and 5.49 g kg-1, respectively, in the P and K concentrations of the soil. There was quadratic increase in the N concentration in the 0.30 m soil depth of the columns with the increase in the applied irrigations of SW and DW, being obtained maximum values of 1.85 and 1.02 g kg-1 that were obtained in the relative irrigation of the application dose of 600 kg ha-1 of N.