The increasing number of cesarean sections worldwide has encouraged research on the long-term effects of this birth type on the offspring's mental health. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between birth by cesarean section and the development of mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorders) in adolescents. A cohort study was carried out with 1603 adolescents from 18 to 19 years old who participated in the third phase of a birth cohort study in São Luís, MA, in 2016. Information on birth type and weight, prematurity, mother's age and schooling, parity, marital status, and smoking behavior during pregnancy, were collected at birth. The study outcomes were depression, bipolar disorder, and “mood disorder” construct. A Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) was developed to select the variables for minimal adjustment for confounding and collision bias. Associations were estimated through propensity score weighting using a two-step estimation model, and confounders for cesarean birth were used in the predictive model. There was no significant association in the relationship between birth type and depression (95%CI: -0.037 to 0.017; P=0.47), bipolar disorder (95%CI: -0.019 to 0.045; P=0.43), and mood disorder (95%CI: -0.033 to 0.042; P=0.80) in adolescents of both sexes. Birth by cesarean section was not associated with the development of mood disorders in adolescents.

Neste trabalho foi realizada a caracterização fitoquímica e avaliada a atividade antibacteriana in vitro dos extratos de Ageratum conyzoides L. (mentrasto), Gossypium hirsutum (algodão), Phyllanthus tenellus (quebra pedra), e Polygonum hydropiperoides (erva de bicho) frente à Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. Para a avaliação da atividade antibacteriana foi utilizado o método de difusão em ágar. Os testes foram realizados com o extrato nas graduações alcoólicas de 0 a 100% (v/v), na proporção de 20% (m/v - massa/extrator). Os testes fitoquímicos constataram a presença de açucares redutores, compostos fenólicos, flavonoides, taninos, triterpenos, e esteróides nas quatro espécies. O crescimento das culturas de S. aureus foi inibido por todos os extratos, com exceção do extrato de Mentrasto. A maior atividade de inibição foi observada pelo extrato de quebra pedra. Entretanto, nenhum dos extratos foi capaz de inibir o crescimento das cepas de E. coli. Os resultados são promissores, visto que três das quatro plantas selecionadas demonstraram possuir substâncias antibacterianas, o que motiva estudos subsequentes para o isolamento e identificação dos princípios ativos responsáveis por essa atividade, com potencial de uso na indústria farmacêutica.

In this study, phytochemical characterization was conducted and the in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts of Ageratum conyzoides L. (whiteweed), Gossypium hirsutum (cotton), Phyllanthus tenellus (shatterstone) and Polygonum hydropiperoides (swamp smartweed) was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. To assess the antibacterial activity, the agar diffusion method was used. Tests were performed with the extract at alcoholic contents from 0 to 100% (v/v), at 20% proportion (m/v - mass/extractor). Phytochemical tests indicated the presence of reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes and steroids in all four species. The growth of S. aureus cultures was inhibited by all extracts, except for whiteweed extract. The highest inhibitory activity was observed for shatterstone. However, none of the extracts was capable of inhibiting the growth of E. coli strains. Results are promising since three of the four selected plants showed to have antibacterial substances, which stimulates further studies for the isolation and the identification of active principles responsible for this activity, with potential to be used in the pharmaceutical industry.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o benefício do mel e do pólen proveniente de duas espécies de forrageiras, sobre os aspectos biológicos da fase adulta de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861). Casais do predador foram individualizados em gaiolas cilíndricas de PVC (10 x 10 cm) mantidas em câmaras climatizadas a 25 ± 1º C, 70% UR e fotofase de 12 horas. Utilizaram-se dietas à base de lêvedo de cerveja + mel (1:1) e pólen de mamona com e sem adição de mel (testemunhas) e os seguintes tratamentos: pólens de capim-elefante, braquiária, capim-elefante + mel e braquiária + mel. Quando foi fornecido apenas pólen de mamona, os crisopídeos apresentaram o menor tempo de vida e não realizaram posturas. Os períodos de pré-oviposição e oviposição não foram influenciados pelas diferentes fontes de alimento com a presença de mel, independente da fonte proteica. O número de ovos/fêmea foi maior para a dieta com lêvedo de cerveja + mel, seguida dos pólens de capim-elefante + mel, mamona + mel e braquiária + mel. Verificou-se que o pólen das plantas apresentou efeitos positivos sobre a biologia de C. externa, quando adicionado mel como fonte de carboidrato. Portanto, para maior eficiência e permanência deste inimigo natural em cultivos dessas forrageiras, recomenda-se a suplementação alimentar com flores ou outras fontes de obtenção de carboidratos.

ABSTRACT Investigation were carried out of the benefits of honey and pollen of two forage species on biological aspects of the adult phase of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861). Mating pairs of the predator were placed in cylindrical PVC cages (10 cm x 10 cm) and maintained in climate-controlled chambers at 25 ± 1º C, 70% RH and 12-hour photophase. They were fed diets of yeast + honey (1:1) and castor pollen without the addition of honey (controls), and the following treatments: elephant grass pollen; signal grass pollen; elephant grass pollen + honey; signal grass pollen + honey. When they were only given castor pollen, the green lacewings had shorter life spans and did not lay eggs. The prelaying and laying periods were not influenced by the different food sources with the presence of honey, regardless of the protein source. The number of eggs/female was greater for the diet with yeast + honey (1:1), followed by elephant grass pollen + honey, castor pollen + honey, and signal grass + honey. It was found that the pollen of the tested plants had positive effects on the biology of C. externa, when honey was added as a carbohydrate source. Therefore, to aid the performance and permanence of this natural pest predator in these forage crops, it is recommended that the lacewings’ food be supplemented with flowers or other sources of carbohydrates.

RESUMO São recentes os relatos de Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) como praga em capim-elefante, forrageira com alto potencial para incrementar a produção intensiva de leite. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi verificar o efeito do período de exposição à hidratação no desenvolvimento e viabilidade de ovos de M. spectabilis. Ovos foram mantidos em câmara climática a 28 ± 2o C e 12h de fotofase, em placas de Petri de 5 cm de diâmetro forradas com papel-filtro, e submetidos a diferentes regimes de hidratação. Diariamente avaliou-se a duração e a viabilidade dos quatro estádios embrionários e da fase de ovo. Constatou-se que os ovos de M. spectabilis que estiveram em contato diariamente com uma lâmina de água, com o papel-filtro umedecido ou umedecidos a intervalos de dois ou cinco dias, apresentaram durações inferiores e viabilidades superiores em todos os estádios embrionários e na fase total de ovo (20 dias). Na ausência total de água, os ovos não completaram seu desenvolvimento, denotando a participação decisiva da hidratação no período embrionário e viabilidade de ovos de M. spectabilis.

ABSTRACT There have been recent reports on Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant), a spittlebug that is a pest of elephant grass, a forage with high potential for increasing intensive milk production. The objective of this study was to verify the effect of different hydration regimes on the development and viability of M. spectabilis eggs. Eggs were maintained in a climatic chamber at 28 ± 2° C and 12-hour photophase, in 5-cm-diameter Petri dishes lined with filter paper at different hydration regimes. Duration and viability of the 4 embryonic stages and the egg phase were evaluated daily. The results showed that the M. spectabilis eggs that were in daily contact with the water layer, or with the filter paper moistened or filter paper moistened at intervals of 2 or 5 days presented shorter durations and greater viabilities in all the embryonic development stages and in the incubation period (20 days). In the total absence of water, the eggs did not complete their development, demonstrating the decisive role of hydration in the embryonic period and viability of M. spectabilis.

Avaliou-se o efeito imunotóxico causado por exposição a baixas doses de citrinina (2,5mg kg-1) em camundongos albinos expostos à micotoxina antes (n=15), durante (n=15) e após (n=15) a imunização com antígeno inerte, representado por eritrócitos de carneiro - sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Quinze camundongos foram usados como controle (não intoxicados). Sete dias após o tratamento, os animais foram sangrados e os títulos de anticorpos anti-SRBC e de complemento foram determinados. A citrinina diminuiu os títulos de anticorpos primários em todos os grupos intoxicados. A intoxicação antes e após a imunização provocou diminuição em 87,5% nos títulos médios de anticorpos específicos. A exposição simultânea à imunização gerou diminuição de 75%. Houve acentuada redução nos níveis de complemento circulante, detectada nos animais previamente intoxicados (93,8%), ou intoxicados juntamente com a imunização (87,5%).

The immunotoxic effect caused by citrinin was evaluated in albino mice exposed to a single dose of 2.5mg.kg-1 before (n=15), concomitantly (n=15) and after (n=15) immunization with an inert antigen represented by sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The animals were bleed seven days following the mycotoxin exposure for antibodies anti-SRBC and complement titration and compared to results obtained from non-exposed controls (n=15). It was detected a decreasing antibodies titration in all the intoxicated animals. Those animals that received citrinin before and after SRBC sensitization equally presented a lowering of 87.5% on the primary antibodies level. The exposure to the mycotoxin simultaneously to the SRBC sensitization caused a decrease equivalent to 75%. A remarkable effect was also demonstrated for the circulating complement in both groups of animals, with a decrease of 87.5% on those intoxicated before and of 93.8% on those treated concomitantly to the SRBC sensitization.