RESUMO A qualidade e o valor da bebida do café podem ser afetados pela contaminação de impurezas durante a torra e moagem. Métodos que permitem o controle de qualidade do produto comercializado são importantes para atender aos padrões exigidos pelos consumidores e pela indústria. Objetivou-se neste estudo estimar o percentual de impurezas contidas no café usando descritores texturais e colorimétricos obtidos a partir de imagens digitais. Os grãos de café arabica (Coffea arabica L.) com 100% de pureza foram submetidos a processos de torra e moagem, e o café moído inicialmente puro foi gradativamente contaminado por impurezas. As imagens digitais foram coletadas em amostras de café com 0, 10, 30, 50 e 70% de impurezas. A partir das imagens, foram obtidos os descritores texturais de histogramas (média, desvio padrão, entropia, uniformidade e terceiro momento) e os descritores colorimétricos (espaço de cores RGB e espaço de cores HSI). O método de regressão de componente principal (PCR) foi aplicado ao grupo de dados de descritores texturais e colorimétricos para o desenvolvimento de modelos lineares para estimativa de impurezas do café. Os modelos selecionados para o grupo de dados dos descritores texturais e o grupo de dados dos descritores colorimétricos foram compostos por dois e três componentes principais, respectivamente. O modelo dos descritores colorimétricos apresentou maior capacidade de estimativa da porcentagem de impurezas no café quando comparado com o modelo dos descritores texturais.

ABSTRACT The quality and price of coffee drinks can be affected by contamination with impurities during roasting and grinding. Methods that enable quality control of marketed products are important to meet the standards required by consumers and the industry. The purpose of this study was to estimate the percentage of impurities contained in coffee using textural and colorimetric descriptors obtained from digital images. Arabica coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.) at 100% purity were subjected to roasting and grinding processes, and the initially pure ground coffee was gradually contaminated with impurities. Digital images were collected from coffee samples with 0, 10, 30, 50, and 70% impurities. From the images, textural descriptors of the histograms (mean, standard deviation, entropy, uniformity, and third moment) and colorimetric descriptors (RGB color space and HSI color space) were obtained. The principal component regression (PCR) method was applied to the data group of textural and colorimetric descriptors for the development of linear models to estimate coffee impurities. The selected models for the textural descriptors data group and the colorimetric descriptors data group were composed of two and three principal components, respectively. The model from the colorimetric descriptors showed a greater capacity to estimate the percentage of impurities in coffee when compared to the model from the textural descriptors.

ABSTRACT The use of Precision Agriculture tools and soil attributes has contributed to local agricultural management in the identification of different productive potentials and quality of pastures. The present study aimed to use Precision Agriculture tools to investigate the spatial variability of soil organic matter fractions and soil chemical and physical attributes and to delineate management zones in pasture soils cultivated under tropical conditions. The study was conducted on a hay production farm located in Seropédica, Brazil. Fifty points were collected on a irregular grid and soil samples were taken at depths of 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m and crop productivity was evaluated. Chemical and physical soil organic matter fractionation was performed to obtain data on fulvic acid, humic and humin fractions, mineral-associated and particulate organic carbon, and light organic matter. Geostatistics and multivariate analysis (principal component analysis and k-means clustering) were performed to define the management zones. The results obtained contributed to the division of the pasture area into two regions that can be managed in different ways aiming to increase soil organic matter in a localized manner with the possibility of reducing the use of inputs and directed management that respects the productive potential of the pasture on the farm.

Abstract Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe disease with no cure caused by a genetic abnormality, promoting progressive muscle degeneration. Corticosteroids are used drugs in treatment associated with adverse effects. The extract of Miconia ferruginata (Melastomataceae) (MF) has demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential in vitro. This study used a DMD model (mdx) to determine the toxic dose of this plant and found a possible non-toxic dose with therapeutic effects. The mdx groups received an intraperitoneal injection of 0 (control group), 50, 100, 200, 300, and 2000 mg kg-1 of the aqueous leaf extract following a single-dose acute toxicity protocol and were observed for 14 days. The range of toxicity of the extract and LD50 were determined. Histopathological analysis, the quantification of fibrosis, and immunohistochemical analysis of the tissues were performed. The results demonstrated that 2000 mg kg-1 was highly toxic, inducing histopathological changes in the tissues evaluated, with 100% mortality in 48 hours. The other doses caused no behavioral changes or signs of toxicity. The MF extract led reduction in histopathological changes, fibrosis, and inflammation, a reduction in HSP70 and an increase in MCL-1 proteins. Doses of 50-200 mg kg-1 demonstrated regenerative tissue and anti-inflammatory potential.

ABSTRACT Plant ambiance studies the environmental condition favorable to plant growth at the initial stage of seedlings or the complete production cycle. This study aimed to evaluate the cultivation of the ornamental pepper ‘Pyramid’ under protected environments and growing benches with and without reflective material. The protected environments consisted of a greenhouse covered with low-density polyethylene film and 42/50% shading thermo-reflective screen under the film, structure with 35% shading thermo-reflective aluminized screen, and structure with 30% shading black screen. The growing benches were tested in environments without and with reflective material made of aluminized screen. The environment of the agricultural greenhouse covered with low-density polyethylene film and 42/50% thermo-reflective screen under the film favored the growth of ornamental pepper plants regarding height and diameter and provided early flowering and high fruit production. The use of the reflective material showed no significant results for plant height, stem diameter, and the number of leaves. The use of reflective material increased the number of fruits in plants under the environments with 35% shading aluminized screen and 30% shading black screen.

ABSTRACT Statistical process control has been widely used in agricultural operations for monitoring and improving process quality. This study aims to evaluate the Shewhart and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts to monitor the performance of an agricultural tractor–planter set. The design is completely randomized based on the assumptions of statistical process control and comprises two treatments: day and night shift treatments. The data to assess the performance of the tractor–planter set are collected during the day and night shifts and used to evaluate the operating speed, motor rotation, engine oil pressure and water temperature, and hourly fuel consumption. The dataset comprised 40 samples compiled from the frontal monitor column inside a tractor cab. It is concluded that both Shewhart and MMEP/EWMA control charts can be used to evaluate engine performance based on the quality indicator parameters investigated, regardless of the normality assumption of the datasets.

Abstract Taxonomic and cytogenetic aspects of Proceratophrys have not been thoroughly clarified in the literature; thus, the objective of the present study was to provide unprecedent karyotype data regarding P. schirchi, P. laticeps and P. melanopogon. Additionally, the karyotype of P. boiei (2n = 22) and its ZZ / ZW sex chromosome system was analyzed for different populations of southeastern and southern Brazil. All Proceratophrys species have a diploid number of 2n = 22 chromosomes. In P. schirchi, a strong C-band was found in the long arm in one of the homologues of the pair 8 in female metaphasic cells, denoting that this chromosome pair could represent the heteromorphic sex chromosome in a ZZ / ZW sex system. Despite the conserved number of chromosomes, there are considerable chromosomal differences in P. melanopogon and P. boiei (southern Brazil), strongly differentiating them cytogenetically from other species of the genus. Moreover, with the confirmation of chromosomal heteromorphism related to sexual differentiation in P. boiei and the possible description of this system in P. schirchi, the Proceratophrys genus can be regarded as an interesting group for evolutionary studies and sex chromosome differentiation in anurans.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes protocolos de acabamento e polimento na rugosidade da superfície, brilho, resistência à flexão biaxial e morfologia de cerâmica prensada. Trinta discos de cerâmica (12x1 mm) foram produzidos e divididos em cinco grupos (n=6): CT- controle (glaze); DA- ponta diamantada de granulação fina; DG: DA + nova camada de glaze; DP: DA + disco de feltro com pasta de diamante de granulo fino; DK: DA + polimento sequencial com instrumentos abrasivos de silício, escova de cabra e roda de algodão. Os espécimes foram analisados quanto à rugosidade da superfície (Ra) sob profilometria e microscopia de força atômica (AFM). O brilho foi medido com espectrofotometria e a micromorfologia com microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM). A resistência à flexão foi avaliada pelo teste de resistência à flexão biaxial. Os dados foram analisados usando ANOVA um fator e teste post hoc de Tukey (a=0,05). DK mostrou mais baixos valores de rugosidade da superfície e DA apresentou o maior na análise do perfilômetro. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no AFM para os grupos CT, DG e DK, que apresentaram a menor rugosidade de superfície; DA e DP apresentaram os maiores valores Ra. O DA, DP e CT mostraram valores de brilho superficial mais baixos, e a reflectância foi significativamente diferente da observada para os grupos DK e DG. A análise de SEM revelou a superfície mais homogênea para o grupo DK, seguido de grupos DG e CT; Os grupos DA e DP exibiram graus variáveis de irregularidades da superfície. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos quanto à resistência à flexão biaxial. O protocolo de polimento utilizado no grupo DK pode ser uma boa alternativa para o acabamento em consultório das superfícies de cerâmicas prensadas após ajustes.

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of different finishing-polishing protocols on surface roughness, gloss, morphology and biaxial flexural strength of pressable fluorapatite glass ceramic. Thirty ceramic discs (12x1 mm) were produced and divided into five groups (n=6): CT: control (glaze); DA: fine grit diamond bur; DG: DA + new glaze layer; DP: DA + felt disk with fine grit diamond paste; DK: DA+ sequential polishing with silicon abrasive instruments, goat hair brush and cotton wheel. The specimens were analyzed for surface roughness (Ra) under profilometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Gloss was measured with spectrophotometry and micromorphology with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Flexural strength was assessed by biaxial flexural strength test. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (a=0.05). DK showed the lowest surface roughness values and DA presented the highest in the perfilometer analysis. No significant differences were observed in the AFM for the CT, DG and DK groups, which presented the lower surface roughness; DA and DP had the higher Ra values. The DA, DP and CT showed the lowest surface gloss values, and the reflectance was significantly different from those observed for DK and DG groups. SEM analysis revealed the smoothest surface for DK group, followed by DG and CT groups; DA and DP groups exhibited variable degrees of surface irregularities. No significant differences were observed among groups for the biaxial flexural strength. The polishing protocol used in DK group can be a good alternative for chairside finishing of adjusted pressable fluorapatite glass ceramic surfaces.

Resumo Fundamento: O eletrocardiograma (ECG) é amplamente utilizado em estudos de base populacional. Porém, poucos desses estudos descrevem achados eletrocardiográficos na América Latina e particularmente no Brasil. O Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) incluiu 15105 participantes (35-74 anos) de seis capitais brasileiras. Objetivos: Descrever as medidas eletrocardiográficas em adultos brasileiros não cardiopatas, estratificados por sexo, raça/cor e idade. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados da linha de base do ELSA-Brasil (n=11094, 44,5% homens) de participantes sem doença cardiopatia prevalente. Os ECGs foram obtidos no aparelho Burdick Atria 6100 e armazenados pelo Sistema Pyramis. A análise dos ECGs foi realizada automaticamente utilizando-se o software da Universidade de Glasgow. Realizou-se análise descritiva da frequência cardíaca, da duração das ondas P, QRS e T, dos intervalos (i) PR e QT, e dos eixos de P, R e T. A comparação dos grupos estratificados por sexo, raça/cor e idade, foi feita pelos testes de Wilcoxon e Kruskal-Wallis com nível de significância definido em 5%. O comportamento das medidas eletrocardiográficas ao longo da idade foi avaliado por modelos de regressão linear. Alterações eletrocardiográficas definidas como maiores pelo código de Minnesota foram revisadas manualmente. Resultados: As medianas das mensurações foram diferentes entre homens e mulheres: FC 63 vs 66 bpm, iPR 164 vs 158 ms, iQT corrigido 410 vs. 421 ms, QRS 92 vs 86 ms, onda P 112 vs 108 ms, eixo da onda P 54 vs 58, eixo da onda R 35 vs 39 e eixo da onda T 39 vs 45 (p < 0,001 para todas). Os percentis 02 e 98 foram obtidos para cada variável analisada, assim como gráficos demonstrando o comportamento dos parâmetros eletrocardiográficos ao longo da idade dos participantes estratificados por sexo e raça/cor. Conclusões: Os valores descritos para as medidas eletrocardiográficas analisadas poderão ser utilizados como referência para adultos brasileiros sem cardiopatia prevalente, estratificados por sexo. Os resultados sugerem que não existe grande influência da raça/cor autodeclarada nas mensurações eletrocardiográficas realizadas.

Abstract Background: The electrocardiogram (ECG) is widely used in population-based studies. However, there are few studies on electrocardiographic findings in Latin America and in Brazil. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) comprised 15,105 participants (35-74 years) from six Brazilian capitals. Objectives: To describe electrocardiographic findings in Brazilian adults without heart disease, stratified by sex, age and race/skin color. Methods: Cross-sectional study with baseline data of 11,094 adults (44.5% men) without heart disease from ELSA-Brasil. The ECGs were recorded with the Burdick Atria 6100 machine and stored at the Pyramis System. ECG analysis was automatically performed using the Glasgow University software. A descriptive analysis of heart rate (HR), P, QRS and T waves’ duration, PR and QT intervals, and P, R and T axes was performed. After stratification by sex, race/color and age, the groups were compared by the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis test at a significance level of 5%. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the behavior of electrocardiographic parameters over age. Major electrocardiographic abnormalities defined by the Minnesota code were manually revised. Results: Medians values of the electrocardiographic parameters were different between men and women: HR 63 vs. 66 bpm, PR 164 vs.158 ms, QT corrected 410 vs. 421 ms, QRS duration 92 vs. 86 ms, P-wave duration 112 vs. 108 ms, P-wave axis 54 vs. 57 degrees, R-wave axis 35 vs. 39 degrees, T-wave axis 39 vs. 45 degrees (p < 0.001 for all). The 2nd and the 98th percentiles of each variable were also obtained, and graphs were constructed to illustrate the behavior of the electrocardiographic findings over age of participants stratified by sex and race/skin color. Conclusions: The values for the electrocardiographic measurements herein described can be used as reference for Brazilian adults free of heart disease, stratified by sex. Our results suggest that self-reported race/skin color have no significant influence on electrocardiographic parameters.

O desenvolvimento de normas para categorias semânticas é necessário para a compreensão do modo como os indivíduos organizam o conhecimento na memória e para a construção de instrumentos de avaliação cognitiva. O objetivo do presente estudo é fornecer normas associativas de 20 categorias semânticas para adultos e idosos brasileiros. Participaram do estudo 236 pessoas, entre 40 e 88 anos, das cinco regiões brasileiras. Os participantes responderam a um questionário de dados sociodemográficos e a um questionário de itens para categorias semânticas, e foram solicitados a produzir os cinco primeiros exemplares de cada categoria apresentada. Os resultados foram agrupados e são apresentadas as normas das categorias (exemplares, tamanho da categoria, respostas corretas, em branco e erros), bem como as respostas de cada categoria que foram comuns a todas as regiões brasileiras.

The development of semantic category norms is necessary to assist in the understanding of how individuals organize knowledge in memory, and to the creation of cognitive assessment instruments. The aim of this study is to provide associative norms of 20 semantic categories for Brazilian adults and elderly. The study included 236 participants from 40 to 88 years of age from the five Brazilian regions. They answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semantic category questionnaire, in which they were asked to produce the first five items of each category. Results are presented in category norms (items, category set size, correct responses, no responses and errors), as well as the responses that were common to all Brazilian regions belonging to each category.

Es necesario el desarrollo de normas para categorías semánticas para poder comprender cómo las personas organizan el conocimiento en la memoria y para la construcción de instrumentos de evaluación cognitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es proporcionar normas asociativas de 20 categorías semánticas para muestras de brasileños adultos y ancianos. Participaron 236 personas entre 40 y 88 años, de cinco regiones de Brasil. Los participantes completaron un cuestionario de datos sociodemográfico y un cuestionario de ítems para categorías semánticas y se les solicitó la producción de los cinco primeros ejemplares de cada categoría presentada. Los resultados fueron agrupados y son presentadas las normas de las categorías (ejemplares, tamaño de categoría, respuestas correctas, en blanco y errores), así como las respuestas de cada categoría, comunes a todas las regiones de Brasil.

Apesar das diversas vantagens associadas aos pinos de fibra de vidro pré-fabricados, o corte da sua porção coronária deve ser realizado para permitir seu uso em algumas situações clínicas. Entretanto, o corte do pino cimentado pode gerar tensões na interface adesiva e afetar a resistência de união. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do momento do corte do pino na resistência de união ao canal radicular. Sessenta raízes de incisivos bovinos foram incluídas em cilindros de resina com simulação do ligamento periodontal. Pinos de fibra de vidro foram cimentados utilizando um cimento resinoso convencional RelyX ARC (3M ESPE) ou autoadesivo RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE). Os pinos foram cortados previamente à cimentação, imediatamente após a cimentação, ou após a reconstrução do núcleo de preenchimento (n=10). Após o armazenamento por 24 h, as amostras foram seccionadas e submetidas ao ensaio de cisalhamento por extrusão utilizando máquina de ensaio mecânico (EMIC DL 2000). Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA dois fatores (cimento resinoso x momento do corte do pino) e teste de Tukey (=0,05). O momento do corte do pino de fibra de vidro não afetou a resistência de união quando o RelyX Unicem foi utilizado. No entanto, o corte do pino imediatamente após a cimentação reduziu os valores de resistência de união quando o RelyX ARC foi utilizado. Em conclusão, o momento do corte do pino pode afetar a resistência de união ao canal radicular quando o cimento resinoso convencional for utilizado.

Despite several advantages associated with pre-fabricated glass-fiber posts, the coronal portion of these posts must be cut to allow their use in various clinical situations. However, cutting the cemented post can generate stress on the bonding interface and affect the bond strength. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect the of fiber post cutting on the bond strength of root canals. Sixty bovine incisor roots were included in resin cylinders with simulated periodontal ligaments. Glass-fiber posts were luted using regular resin cement RelyX ARC (3M ESPE) or self-adhesive cement RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE). The posts were cut prior to cementation, immediately after luting or after building up the core (n=10). After storage for 24 h, the samples were cut and subject to push-out testing using a mechanical testing machine (EMIC DL 2000). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (resin cement x moment of post cutting) and Tukey's post hoc test (α=0.05). The moment of fiber post cutting did not affect the bond strength when Unicem was used. However, the bond strength was reduced when ARC was used and when the post was cut immediately. In conclusion, the moment of fiber post cutting may affect the retention of root canal posts when a regular resin cement is used.

Considerando o efeito positivo do silício (Si) na melhoria do desempenho fisiológico de várias espécies de plantas quando infectadas por patógenos, este trabalho teve como meta investigar o efeito desse elemento na capacidade fotossintética e no metabolismo antioxidativo de plantas dos cultivares de algodoeiro NuOpal e BRS Buriti, supridas ou não com Si, durante o processo infeccioso de Ramularia areola. A infecção por R. areola afetou negativamente a taxa líquida de fixação do CO2 (A), a condutância estomática (g s), a transpiração e a razão entre concentração interna e ambiente de CO2 nas plantas dos cultivares NuOpal e BRS Buriti não supridas com Si em relação às plantas supridas com esse elemento. Na presença do Si, houve aumento em A e g s além das concentrações de clorofila a, clorofila b e carotenóides nas plantas dos dois cultivares. A concentração foliar de Si aumentou, o que contribuiu para decrescer em 38% a área abaixo da curva do progresso da mancha de ramulária nas plantas supridas com Si, em relação às plantas não supridas com esse elemento. O fornecimento de Si às plantas de algodoeiro dos dois cultivares aumentou a atividade da dismutase do superóxido (SOD), da peroxidase do ascorbato (APX) e da lipoxigenase (LOX), mas houve redução na atividade da catalase (CAT) e na concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e de aldeído malônico (MDA), houve ainda uma maior perda de eletrólitos. A atividade da glutationa redutase (GR) foi maior nas plantas do cultivar BRS Buriti supridas com Si, enquanto que nas plantas do cultivar NuOpal houve aumento da atividade da glutationa redutase apenas aos 21 dias após inoculação (dai). Conclui-se que a capacidade fotossintética e o sistema antioxidativo das plantas supridas com Si sofreram menor impacto durante o processo infeccioso de R. areola.

Considering the positive effect of silicon (Si) in improving the physiological performance of several plant species when infected by pathogens, this study investigated the effect of this element in the photosynthetic capacity and on the antioxidant metabolism of cotton plants from cultivars BRS NuOpal and Buriti, supplied or not with Si, during the infectious process of Ramularia areola. The infection by R. areola negatively affected the net carbon assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance to water vapor (g s), internal-to-ambient CO2 concentration ratio and transpiration rate on plants of the two cultivars non-supplied with Si in comparison to plants supplied with this element. In the presence of Si, there was an increase in A and g s as well as on the concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids in plants of both cultivars. The Si supply increased the foliar Si concentration, which contributed to decrease the area under ramularia leaf spot progress curve by 38% in comparison to plants non-supplied with this element. The Si supply to both cultivars increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, but reduced catalase activity. The activity of glutathione reductase was higher on plants from cultivar BRS Buriti supplied with Si, while for the cultivar NuOpal the activity of glutathione reductase increased only after 21 days of inoculation (dai). There was reduction in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde until 15 dai and the electrolyte leakage was higher in plants supplied with Si in both cultivars. As compared to non-supplied plants, both cultivars presented increase on lipoxygenase activity when supplied with Si until 12 dai. It was concluded that the photosynthetic capacity and the antioxidative system of plants supplied with Si were less impacted during the infectious process of R. areola.

Begomoviruses are whitefly-transmitted single-stranded DNA viruses of great economic importance in the tropics and subtropics. Several begomovirus species have been reported in tomatoes in Brazil, but only a few predominate in the field, for unknown reasons. In this study begomovirus-infected tomato samples were collected in Viçosa, State of Minas Gerais, in Nov/2009 and Dec/2010. Viral genomes were amplified, cloned and sequenced. A total of 36 DNA-A components were obtained. Sequence comparisons indicated the presence of a single begomovirus, Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV), with pairwise identities between isolates ranging from 97.3 to 100%. Subdivision tests indicated the existence of a single population. The analysis of variability descriptors indicated that the ToSRV population has a genetic variability similar to other begomovirus populations described in Brazil infecting tomato. Neutrality tests suggested the occurrence of purifying selection acting upon the population. Recombination analysis identified recombination events with begomoviruses from the weed species Sida micrantha. The wide distribution of ToSRV in the field and the detection of recombination indicate that continuous monitoring of viral populations in the field will be required to enable an efficient resistance-based control strategy for begomoviruses.

Atualmente, um dos maiores problemas na triagem sorológica de doadores de sangue para doença de Chagas é a alta freqüência de reações indeterminadas, o que faz com que muitos indivíduos sadios sejam rotulados como portadores de uma doença grave. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar o comportamento sorológico para doença de Chagas dos doadores do Hemocentro Regional de Uberaba, MG e propor mecanismos para reduzir o índice de inaptidão sorológica para essa doença. Através de estudo retrospectivo, foi analisado o resultado sorológico de 79.729 amostras obtidas de doações de sangue realizadas neste Serviço entre janeiro de 2000 e dezembro de 2004. Os resultados foram analisados quanto às variáveis: tipo de doador (novo e de retorno), gênero e idade (inferior ou igual a 30 anos e superior a 30 anos). Para a análise estatística foram realizados os testes do Qui-Quadrado e de comparação de proporções (Z). A ocorrência de doações com sorologia não negativa para doença de Chagas entre doadores novos foi significativamente superior aos de retorno, com p< 0,0001. Quanto à idade, a proporção de positivos no grupo maior de 30 anos foi significativamente superior à do grupo com idade igual ou inferior a 30 anos (p< 0,0001). O elevado número de reações indeterminadas nesse Serviço está de acordo com estudos recentes, reforçando a necessidade da implementação de testes sorológicos 100% específicos ou de exames confirmatórios práticos e rápidos, passíveis de serem introduzidos nas rotinas dos serviços de hemoterapia, reduzindo o descarte desnecessário de bolsas de sangue.

Currently one of the major problems in the serological selection of blood donors in respect to Chagas' disease is the high incidence of indeterminate reactions, making a large number of healthy individuals incorrectly diagnosed as seriously ill. This paper aims at evaluating the serological pattern of Chagas' disease of donors of the Uberaba Blood Center and also to propose mechanisms to reduce the rate of serological ineligibility due to suspicion of this disease. A retrospective study of the serological results of 79,729 samples of blood was carried out between January 2000 and December 2004. The results were analyzed according to the following variables: type of donor (first-time and multiple), gender and age (less than or equal to 30 or more than 30 years old). The statistical analysis was made using the chi-square test and a comparison of proportions (Z). Indeterminate results in respect to Chagas' disease among first-time donors were significantly higher than those of multiple donations with p < 0.0001. As for age, the proportion of positivity in the over 30-year-old group was significantly higher to that of the under or equal to 30-year-old group (p < 0.0001). The high number of indeterminate reactions at this center is in accordance with recent studies, highlighting the need of implementing serological tests with 100% specificity or the use of practical and fast confirmation tests to be routinely introduced in hemotherapy services, reducing the unnecessary rejection of blood bags.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estudar a ação dos inseticidas espinosade, lambdacialotrina e monocrotofós no controle do curuquerê-do-algodoeiro Alabama argillacea (Hübner), sua compatibilidade com o percevejo predador Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas), e os efeitos dos inseticidas e acaricidas metiocarbe, pimetrozine, tiametoxam, abamectim, diafentiurom, dicofol e propargite na predação de A. argillacea por P. nigrispinus no campo. Inseticidas e concentrações utilizadas proporcionaram controle de A. argillacea acima de 90% no dia da aplicação. O controle de A. argillacea por lambdacialotrina (20 g i.a./ha) e monocrotofós (240 e 320 g i.a./ha) foi observado até três dias após aplicação, enquanto espinosade (30 e 60 g i.a./ha) prolongou o controle acima de 90% até cinco dias. Monocrotofós e lambdacialotrina foram significativamente mais tóxicos para P. nigrispinus comparado a espinosade. O efeito residual de monocrotofós e lambdacialotrina para P. nigrispinus foi evidente até três dias após a aplicação. A sobrevivência de P. nigrispinus foi afetada por metiocarbe, tiametoxam, diafentiurom, abamectim e enxofre após um dia, e apenas por tiametoxam após três dias da aplicação. Pimetrozine, dicofol e propargite não afetaram a sobrevivência de P. nigrispinus. A predação de lagartas de A. argillacea por P. nigrispinus não foi observada no dia da aplicação em plantas tratadas com metiocarbe e afetada por tiametoxam, abamectim, diafentiurom e enxofre, mesmo três dias após a aplicação. Os inseticidas pimetrozine e espinosade, bem como os acaricidas dicofol e propargite mostraram-se compatíveis com P. nigrispinus, e devem ser priorizados em programas de manejo integrado de pragas do algodoeiro.

The objectives of this work were to study the insecticides espinosad, lambdacyhalothrin and monocrotophos on the control of Alabama argillacea (Hübner), the compatibility of these insecticides with the predatory stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas), and the effects of the insecticides and acaricides methiocarb, pymetrozine, thiamethoxam, abamectin, diafenthiuron, dicofol and propargite on the predatory stinkbug behavior preying upon A. argillacea under field conditions. More than 90% of cotton leafworm control was obtained at the day 0 of application with all insecticides. Control of A. argillacea by lambdacyhalothrin (20 g a.i./ha) and monocrotophos (240 and 320 g a.i./ha) was observed up to day 3 after application; while spinosad (30 and 60 g a.i./ha) prolonged control up to day 5. Monocrotophos and lambdacyhalothrin were significantly more toxic to P. nigrispinus compared to spinosad. Toxicity of monocrotophos and lambdacyhalothrin to P. nigrispinus was evident up to day 3 after application. Survival of P. nigrispinus was affected by methiocarb, thiamethoxam, diafenthiuron, abamectin and sulfur one day after application and only under thiamethoxam treatment after three days. Pymetrozine, dicofol and propargite did not affect P. nigrispinus survival compared to untreated plants. Podisus nigrispinus at the day of application did not prey on A. argillacea under methiocarb treatment, and the predation rate was affected under thiamethoxam, abamectin, diafenthiuron and sulfur treatments at the day of application and after three days. The insecticides pymetrozine and spinosad, and the acaricides dicofol and propargite were compatible to P. nigrispinus and should be considered within a cotton pest management program.

Com objetivo de se compararem a tolerabilidade e eficácia do praziquantel e oxamniquine, procedeu-se a um estudo prospectivo duplo-cego envolvendo 120 pacientes com esquistossomose intestinal ou hepatintestinal. Os pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos. Um foi tratado com praziquantel, na dose de 55 mg/kg de peso, o outro com oxamniquine, 15 mg/kg de peso, sempre administrados em dose única por via oral. O diagnóstico e seguimento parasitológicos basearam-se ho exame de fazes peio método de Kate Katz. Em 73 de 77 casos negativos após tratamento, executaram-se biópsias retais. Efeitos colaterais, principalmente tontura, sonolência, dores abdominais, cefaléia, náuseas e diarréia foram observados em 87% dos casos. Sua incidência, intensidade e duração foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos, mas a dor abdominal foi significativamente mais freqüente após praziquantel, havendo maior tendência para tontura intensa após oxamniquine. Observou-se aumento significante de alamina-aminotransferase e gama-glutamiltransferase após oxamniquine e de bilirrubina total após praziquantel. Um total de 48 pacientes tratados com praziquantel e 46 com oxamniquine completaram os exames de controle até o sexto mês. As percentages de cura foram de 79,2% e de 84,8% respectivamente, diferença não significativa. Os pacientes não curados mostraram redução média do número de ovos de 93,5% e de 84,1%, diferença não significativa. Cinco pacientes retratados com praziquantel curaram-se, mas somente um de três retratados com oxamniquine. Estes resultados mostram, que ambas as drogas-apesar de diferentes propriedades farmacológicas — provocam reações colaterais semelhantes e apresentam eficácia terapêutica comparável.

A double-blind clinical trial involving 120 patients with chronic schistosomiasis was carried out to compare the tolerability and efficacy of praziquantel and oxamniquine. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups. One was treated with praziquantel, 55 mg/kg of body weight CBWT), and the other one with oxamniquine, 15mg/kg bwt, administered in a single oral dose. The diagnosis and the parasitological follow-up was based on stool examinations by quantitative Kato-Katz method and on rectal biopsies. Side-effects — mainly dizziness, sleepness, abdominal distress, headache, nausea and diarrhea — were observed in 87% of the cases. Their incidence, intensity and duration were similar for both drugs but abdominal pain was significantly more frequent after praziquantel intake and severe dizziness was more commonly reported after oxamniquine. A significant increase of alanine-aminotransferase and y-glutamyltransferase was found with the latter drug and of total bilirubin with the former one. A total of 48 patients treated with praziquantel and 46 with oxamniquine completed with negative findings the required three post-treatment parasitological controls — three slides of each stool sample on the first, third and sixth month. The achieved cure rates were 79.2% and 84.8%, respectively, a difference without statistical significance. The non-cured cases showed a mean reduction in the number of eggs per gram of feces of 93.5% after praziquantel and of 84.1% after oxamniquine. This diference also was not significant. Five patients retreated with praziquantel were cured but only one out of three treated a second time with oxamniquine. These findings show that both drugs — despite their different chemical structures, pharmacological properties and mechanisms-of-action — induce similar side-effects as well as a comparable therapeutical efficacy, in agreement with the results reported from analogous investigations.