ABSTRACT One of the main costs in agriculture is related to mechanized operations, which, in turn, are associated with the capital invested in machinery and equipment, the scale of production, and the operating efficiency. Thus, the choice of technology to carry out these operations must take these factors into account to minimize the production cost. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the most economical investment option for the set of sprayings on a farm located in the municipality of Mineiros, Goiás, Brazil, by comparing two technologies (ground and aerial spraying) and identifying the scale of production that makes each of the technologies more feasible. This study covers the period of one year with the soybean crop in the summer season, followed by the cultivation of corn in the off-season. Economic feasibility indicators were calculated, and the total average costs of both technologies were compared. The results allowed concluding that the investment in aerial spraying with the aircraft acquisition is assertive, as it reduced losses due to crushing. Contracting the service via third parties is feasible and can be used not only in cases of emergency, as it allows for increased profitability.

Abstract The use of creep feeding for preweaning piglets is important to improve the performance of the piglets. The objective of this experiment was evaluate the effect of using or altering the position of piglet’s creep feeder during lactation on piglet’s performance and on behavior of piglets and sows kept in a hot climate environment. Forty-five sows and their litters at 10 days of lactation were randomly distributed into three treatments: front feeder (FF) - near the side of the sow’s head; back feeder (BF) - near the side of the rump of the sow; and no feeder (NF). All piglets were weighed individually to evaluate the average weight, weight gain and coefficient of variation of the weight. Behavior assessments of the piglets and sows were recorded in 3 period. At 15 and 21 d, piglets of the FF treatment were heavier (P ≤ 0.0001) than piglets of the other treatments. At 10-21d piglets of FF treatment had 76.2% less belly nosing behavior than the NF piglets (P=0.015). The treatments had no impact on behavior of the sows. The creep feeders positioned in the front of the farrowing crate increased piglet growth rate and decreased frequency of belly nosing behavior.

RESUMO A mancha bacteriana do tomateiro, causada Xanthomonas spp. pode provocar perdas significativas na produção da cultura. O controle da doença é difícil e produtos alternativos devem ser avaliados. Portanto, os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar a inibição do crescimento de Xanthomonas spp. in vitro e o intervalo de aplicação de óleos essenciais, no controle da mancha bacteriana do tomateiro. Para avaliação do halo de inibição do crescimento de Xanthomonas spp. in vitro foram empregados óleos essenciais de cravo da índia (Syzygium aromaticum) e erva cidreira (Melissa officinalis), Tween 20%, hidróxido de cobre e água. Para o controle da mancha bacteriana, plantas de tomate foram inicialmente pulverizadas com os produtos; três dias após foram inoculadas por aspersão com uma suspensão bacteriana (107 UFC mL-1), e a cada intervalo de 3, 6, 9 ou 12 dias, as plantas foram novamente pulverizadas com os produtos. A severidade da doença foi avaliada, calculando-se a área abaixo da curva de progresso da severidade da doença. Os óleos essenciais de cravo da índia e erva cidreira, e o hidróxido de cobre, nas concentrações 100 e 10% inibiram o crescimento de Xanthomonas spp. in vitro. Da mesma forma, os óleos essenciais quando aplicados em intervalos de três e seis dias reduziram a severidade da mancha bacteriana do tomateiro, sendo promissores no controle da doença.

ABSTRACT Tomato bacterial leaf spot, caused by Xanthomonas spp., can cause significant losses in the crop production. Disease control is difficult and alternative products should be evaluated. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate Xanthomonas spp. growth inhibition in vitro and to assess the interval of essential oil application on tomato bacterial leaf spot control. To evaluate the growth inhibition halo for Xanthomonas spp. in vitro, clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) essential oils were used, as well as Tween 20%, copper hydroxide and water. For bacterial leaf spot control, tomato plants were initially sprayed with those products; three days later, the plants were inoculated by spraying with a bacterial suspension (107 CFU mL-1), and at each interval of 3, 6, 9 or 12 days, the plants were sprayed again with the products. Disease severity was assessed by calculating the area under the disease severity progression curve. Essential oils of clove and lemon balm, and copper hydroxide, at the concentrations of 100 and 10%, inhibited the growth of Xanthomonas spp. in vitro. Similarly, the essential oils reduced the severity of tomato bacterial leaf spot when applied at three- and six-day intervals, showing to be promising in disease control.

RESUMO A gota é considerada a forma mais comum de artrite inflamatória em homens acima de 40 anos. Os autores apresentam uma breve revisão sobre o tratamento atual da gota e discutem as limitações farmacológicas existentes no Brasil para o tratamento dessa enfermidade. Apesar de o alopurinol ainda ser a principal medicação para a redução dos níveis de uricemia de pacientes com gota no país, os autores também apresentam dados que apontam para uma grande oportunidade para o mercado farmacológico brasileiro em relação ao tratamento da hiperuricemia e da artrite gotosa e especialmente para pacientes usuários de sistemas privados de saúde e do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde).

ABSTRACT Gout is considered the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men over 40 years. The authors present a brief review of the current treatment of gout and discuss the existing pharmacological limitations in Brazil for the treatment of this disease. Although allopurinol is still the main drug administered for decreasing serum levels of uric acid in gout patients in this country, the authors also present data that show a great opportunity for the Brazilian drug market for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout and especially for patients using private and public (SUS) health care systems.

A deficiência da enzima 3β-hidroxiesteroide desidrogenase tipo 2 (3β-HSD) representa variante rara de hiperplasia adrenal congenital (HAC). Recém-nascidos afetados com a forma clássica apresentam perda de sal nas primeiras semanas de vida e ambiguidade genital em ambos os sexos. Concentrações elevadas de 17-hidroxipregnenolona (Δ517OHP) são características, porém sua conversão extra-adrenal a 17-hidroxiprogesterona (17OHP) pode resultar em resultados positivos no teste de triagem neonatal. A determinação da concentração de 17OHP obtida em amostra de sangue colhida em papel-filtro para triagem neonatal foi realizada por ensaio imunofluorimétrico, e as concentrações séricas de 17OHP and Δ517OHP, por radioimunoensaio. Um menino, 46,XY, com ambiguidade genital e crise adrenal aos 3 meses de vida, apresentou teste positivo na triagem neonatal para HAC. As concentrações séricas de 17OHP e Δ517OHP estavam aumentadas, bem como a relação Δ517OHP/cortisol, o que foi compatível com o diagnóstico de deficiência de 3β-HSD. A análise molecular do gene HSD3B2 revelou a mutação p.P222Q em homozigose na criança afetada e em heterozigose em seus pais, o que confirmou a deficiência de 3β-HSD com resultado moderadamente elevado na dosagem de 17OHP no “Teste do Pezinho” (Programa de Triagem Neonatal do Distrito Federal, Brasil). Esse caso corrobora a forte correlação genótipo-fenótipo associada à mutação p.P222Q no gene HSD3B2. Estudos futuros para avaliação dos ensaios utilizados na triagem neonatal para determinação de 17OHP poderão auxiliar na determinação do significado potencial de concentrações moderadamente elevadas de 17OHP como um indicador precoce para o diagnóstico de outras formas de HAC clássicas, além da deficiência de 21-hidroxilase.

3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II (3β-HSD) deficiency represents a rare CAH variant. Newborns affected with its classic form have salt wasting in early infancy and genital ambiguity in both sexes. High levels of 17-hydroxypregnenolone (Δ517OHP) are characteristic, but extra-adrenal conversion to 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) may lead to positive results on newborn screening tests. Filter paper 17OHP on newborn screening test was performed by immunofluorometric assay, and serum determinations of 17OHP and Δ517OHP, by radioimmunoassay. A 46,XY infant with genital ambiguity and adrenal crisis at three months of age presented a positive result on newborn screening for CAH. Serum determinations of 17OHP and Δ517OHP were elevated, and a high Δ517OHP/cortisol relation was compatible with the diagnosis of 3β-HSD deficiency. Molecular analysis of the HSD3B2 gene from the affected case revealed the presence of the homozygous p.P222Q mutation, whereas his parents were heterozygous for it. We present the first report of 3β-HSD type II deficiency genotype-proven detected at the Newborn Screening Program in Brazil. The case described herein corroborates the strong genotype-phenotype correlation associated with the HSD3B2 p.P222Q mutation, which leads to a classic salt-wasting 3β-HSD deficiency. Further evaluation of 17OHP assays used in newborn screening tests would aid in determining their reproducibility, as well as the potential significance of moderately elevated 17OHP levels as an early indicator to the diagnosis of other forms of classic CAH, beyond 21-hydroxylase deficiency.