ABSTRACT In this contribution, we present a predictive tool developed to help in the management of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Rio Grande do Sul (RS)-Brazil. This tool is the result of georeferenced data analysis, mathematical modeling, and parameter calibration for the dynamics of a SIR-type model defined on a spatial structure that allows distinct subpopulations to interact, similar to the controlled distancing (A l for l=1, ···, 21)) groupings proposed by the RS government and public health authorities. The predictive analysis, updated biweekly, provides three distinct scenarios per month (milder, average, and severe) and is made available as WebSIGs (Geographic Information System-GIS). The forecast of the average scenario for each A l group is the result of a simulation of the proposed SIR-type dynamics with calibrated parameters derived from an augmented Lagrangian maximum a posteriori estimation and data on the number of infected cases made available by the RS Health Secretariat. The milder and severe scenarios are obtained from the average scenario, with changes in the contagion rates of each A l group. When compared to the number of infections reported in each A l group, the modeling predictions for a biweekly time window (the first two weeks) were quite satisfactory, with errors ranging from 0% to 5.13%, gradually increasing over time. Therefore, we suggest a biweekly re-calibration of the parameters and corresponding forecasts as a wise strategy.

Abstract The toxic potential of dithiocarbamates fungicides widely used in world agriculture is well known, among which Mancozeb is one of the most used. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Mancozeb, determining the LC50% of the product and the behavioral and histological changes observed in fish of the Pacamã species through acute and sublethal toxicity tests. The first experiment was carried out on Pacamã fingerlings exposed to dosages of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8mg/L of Mancozeb under the form ManzateWG®, for a total period of 96 hours in the acute experiment, and in the second experiment, fish were subjected to concentrations of 1/10 of those used in the acute experiment (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8mg/L, respectively), for 15 days in total. The 50% lethal concentration of ManzateWG® was calculated at the end of the acute experiment, presenting a value of 2.29mg/L at 96h for Pacamã fingerlings. A behavioral assessment was carried out through daily observation of the fish during both experiments, and an increase in mucus production was observed, as well as atypical social behavior in those exposed to the toxic agent. Histopathological evaluation was performed on livers collected after the end of the sublethal experiment, and the main hepatic alterations observed were cytoplasmic vacuolization, inflammatory infiltrate, and necrosis. Mancozeb has toxic potential and is capable of generating behavioral changes, as well as increasing the risk of liver damage in Pacamãs exposed to this compound.

Resumo O potencial tóxico dos fungicidas ditiocarbamatos amplamente usados na agricultura mundial é bem conhecido, e entre estes, o Mancozebe é um dos mais utilizados. Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a toxicidade do Mancozebe, determinando a CL50% do produto e as alterações comportamentais e histológicas, observadas em peixes da espécie pacamã através de testes de toxicidade aguda e subletal. O primeiro experimento foi realizado em alevinos de pacamã expostos a dosagens de 0,5, 1, 2, 4 e 8mg/L de Mancozebe sob a forma ManzateWG®, por um período total de 96 horas no experimento agudo, e no segundo experimento os peixes foram submetidos a concentrações de 1/10 daquelas utilizadas no experimento agudo (0,05, 0,1, 0,2, 0,4 e 0,8mg/L, respectivamente), a exposição no segundo experimento foi de 15 dias. A concentração letal a 50% do ManzateWG® foi calculada ao fim do experimento agudo, apresentando um valor de 2,29mg/L às 96h para alevinos de pacamã. Avaliou-se o comportamento por meio da observação diária dos peixes, notando-se o aumento da produção de muco assim como comportamento social atípico naqueles indivíduos expostos ao agente tóxico. A análise histopatológica foi conduzida nos fígados coletados após a conclusão do experimento subletal, identificando as principais alterações hepáticas como vacuolização citoplasmática, infiltrado inflamatório e necrose. O Mancozebe apresenta potencial tóxico e é capaz de gerar alterações comportamentais, assim como aumentar o risco de lesões hepáticas em pacamãs expostos a este composto.

ABSTRACT In this contribution we analyze a discretized SIR (Susceptible, Infectious, and Removed) compartmental model, to investigate the role of individual interactions in the spread of diseases. The compartments S i,j , I i , j and R i , j ( i , j , = 1 , 2 , . . . , n ) are spatially distributed in a two-dimensional n × n network. We assume that the dynamics follow the well-known SIR-like iteration within the population in each (i, j) site. Moreover, the dynamics are enriched by considering a multi-population interaction following a Gaussian spatial distribution. Therefore, the mobility of individuals between distinct networks is measured from the width α of the Gaussian distribution. The interaction of individuals between distinct sites, responsible for the contagion between different populations, is assumed to occur in a time interval smaller than a fixed interval h so that, the total population in each site (i, j), given by N i , j = S i , j + I i , j + R i , j, remained constant (for example, individual leaves his home site (i, j) to work at a neighboring site and returns to his home in a time interval less than h). We numerically explore some scenarios of population interaction, based on distinct choices of width α, that include a hypothetically rapidly closedness and reopening of the economy. The results found show interesting dynamics in the infected population due to the interaction parameter α(t) between the populations. Finally, the model can be applied to evaluate the spread of diseases such as COVID-19 enabling decision making in different contexts.

Abstract This paper discussed the synthesis of LTA zeolite from Pinheiro clay (PIN) aiming for adsorption of CO2. To obtain the LTA-PIN zeolite, the PIN was submitted to acid treatment, followed by calcination and hydrothermal treatment. These treatments promoted the reorganization of the crystalline structure of the PIN, leading to the LTA-PIN zeolite with 95.79% purity confirmed by XRD, SEM, XRF, and FTIR results. The performance of the LTA-PIN zeolite was similar to the one of the standard LTA zeolite. The CO2 adsorption by the zeolites could be properly described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models, suggesting that physisorption was the main mechanism responsible for the deposition of CO2 at the surface of the zeolites. According to regeneration results, LTA-PIN zeolite can be reused five times without significant loss of CO2 adsorption capacity, contrary to the 12% reduction in CO2 adsorption capacity presented by the LTA-standard zeolite.

RESUMO Introdução: A Perda Auditiva Induzida pelo Ruído (PAIR) pode causar limitações ou restrições em algumas atividades sociais e laborais. A comunicação oral pode ficar prejudicada e pode haver diminuição na capacidade de monitorizar o ambiente de trabalho (com maior risco de acidentes laborais). Objetivo: Avaliar a perceção de trabalhadores sobre a restrição secundária à PAIR. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal, quantitativo. Participaram 49 trabalhadores, com audiogramas sugestivos de PAIR. Analisaram-se as audiometrias e foi aplicado o questionário Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA). Resultados: Os participantes eram na maioria homens, com média de idade entre 40 a 49 anos e menos de dez anos de exposição a um nível médio de ruído de 87,61 dB(A). Quanto aos achados da audiometria, a perda auditiva foi do tipo sensório neural bilateral e de acordo com a classificação BIAP-2014, predominou o grau leve bilateral. Quanto aos scores de domínios social, emocional e total do questionário Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), encontrou-se restrição de participação auditiva, variando de leve a moderada nos domínios emocional e total. Conclusão: Os trabalhadores com casos sugestivos de Perda Auditiva Induzida pelo Ruído apresentaram restrição de participação secundária a perda auditiva, podendo impactar negativamente na participação social, capacidade de trabalho e qualidade de vida. Isso reforça a necessidade de prevenção da Perda Auditiva Induzida pelo Ruído através dos programas de preservação auditiva, que vão além da monitorização auditiva, assim como a reabilitação auditiva para esses trabalhadores.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss can cause limitations or restrictions, such as in some social and work activities. Oral communication may be impaired and there may be a decrease in the ability to monitor the work environment (with a higher risk of occupational accidents). Objective: To evaluate the perception of workers about the restriction of participation related to NIHL. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study. 49 workers participated, with audiograms suggestive of PAIR. The noise level, the audiometries and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) questionnaire were analyzed. Results: Participants were men, most were between 40 and 49 years old and less than 10 years old. The average noise level was 87.61 dB (A). Regarding NIHL, the loss was of the bilateral neural sensor type and according to the BIAP classification, the mild degree predominated. Concerning the social, emotional and total scores of the HHIA questionnaire, auditory participation restriction was found ranging from mild to moderate in the emotional and total domains. Conclusion: Workers with a possible NIHL presented a restriction of auditory participation in the emotional and total scales, and could negatively impact the social participation and quality of life. This reinforces the need to prevent NIHL through hearing prevention programs, as well as auditory rehabilitation for these workers.

The objective was to evaluate the influence of the handling of three milkers on the behavior of dairy cows, milking management and animal production. Direct observations were made, continuous and with visual sampling of the milkers behavior and of the cows. The cows participated of the three treatments (milkers), constituting the cross-over experimental design. In the comparative analysis of the human and animal behavior the nonparametric chi-square (χ2) test was used. For data on milk production, flight distance and milking time it was applied the variance analysis (ANOVA). In the economic evaluation it was used a descriptive analysis of the production results. It was concluded that the type of handling of the milker influenced milk production, milking time, flight distance and the reaction of the animals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do manejo de 3 ordenhadores sobre o comportamento de vacas leiteiras, manejo de ordenha e a produção dos animais, associando a distância de fuga e retorno econômico do manejo. Foram realizadas observações diretas, contínuas e com amostragem visual do comportamento dos ordenhadores e das vacas. As vacas participaram dos três tratamentos (ordenhadores), constituindo o delineamento experimental cross-over. Na análise comparativa do comportamento humano e animal foi utilizado o teste não paramétrico Qui-quadrado (χ²). Para os dados de produção de leite, distância de fuga e tempo de ordenha aplicou-se a análise de variância (ANOVA). Na avaliação econômica utilizou-se uma análise descritiva dos resultados de produção. Concluiu-se que o tipo de manejo do ordenhador influencia as características produtivas e comportamentais de vacas em lactação.

Chagas' myocardiopathy, caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is characterized by microvascular alterations, heart failure and arrhythmias. Ischemia and arrythmogenesis have been attributed to proteins shed by the parasite, although this has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of substances shed by T. cruzi on ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. We performed a triple ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) protocol whereby the isolated beating rat hearts were perfused with either Vero-control or Vero T. cruzi-infected conditioned medium during the different stages of ischemia and subsequently reperfused with Tyrode's solution. ECG and heart rate were recorded during the entire experiment. We observed that triple I/R-induced bradycardia was associated with the generation of auricular-ventricular blockade during ischemia and non-sustained nodal and ventricular tachycardia during reperfusion. Interestingly, perfusion with Vero-infected medium produced a delay in the reperfusion-induced recovery of heart rate, increased the frequency of tachycardic events and induced ventricular fibrillation. These results suggest that the presence of parasite-shed substances in conditioned media enhances the arrhythmogenic effects that occur during the I/R protocol.

The vast amount of publications existing in the multiple scientific literature information sources and the lack of available time to consult them, have encouraged the authors of this paper to carry out a review of the scientific literature published in year 2010 regarding Oral Implantology. Thus, we classified the articles into different topics (guided bone regeneration, sinus lift and other special techniques, growing factors, zigomatic implants, orthodontic implants and complications), so a more comprehensive updating can be made.

La gran cantidad de publicaciones que existen en las múltiples fuentes de información de la literatura científica junto a la baja disponibilidad de tiempo para consultarlas de la que disponen los profesionales de la Odontología, ha motivado a los autores de este artículo a efectuar una revisión de la literatura científica publicada a lo largo del año 2010 en el campo de la Implantología Bucofacial. Se han agrupado los diferentes trabajos en distintos temas (regeneración ósea guiada, elevación del seno maxilar y otras técnicas especiales, factores de crecimiento, implantes cigomáticos, implantes ortodóncicos y complicaciones en la cirugía implantológica), con el fin de facilitar una buena puesta al día.

The vast amount of publications existing in the multiple scientific literature information sources and the lack of available time to consult them, have encouraged the authors of this paper to carry out a review of the scientific literature published in year 2010 regarding Oral Implantology. Thus, we classified the articles into different topics (general aspects and treatment planning, special patients, surfaces and design, soft tissues, immediate implants, immediate loading, guided surgery and minimally invassive surgery and overdentures), so a more comprehensive updating can be made.

La gran cantidad de publicaciones que existen en las múltiples fuentes de información de la literatura científica junto a la baja disponibilidad de tiempo para consultarlas de la que disponen los profesionales de la Odontología, ha motivado a los autores de este artículo a efectuar una revisión de la literatura científica publicada a lo largo del año 2010 en el campo de la Implantología Bucofacial. Se han agrupado los diferentes trabajos en distintos temas (generalidades y plan de tratamiento, pacientes especiales, superficies y diseño, tejidos blandos, implantes inmediatos, carga inmediata, cirugía guiada y cirugía mínimamente invasiva y sobredentaduras), con el fin de facilitar una buena puesta al día.

Clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities occur in about 1% of children born alive. The objective of this work was to offer the patients and the families in the community for the service of the Integrated Clinic of Uniara Health (Araraquara and region), the examination of cariotype (cytogenetic study) for confirmation or exclusion of the diagnostic suspicion of chromosomal abnormalities as well as information (genetic counseling) for the prevention of occurrence and/or recurrence of these anomalies. In the period of one year and four months these were carried out in the Integrated Clinic of Uniara Health and directed for the Laboratory of Cytogenetic Human of the same institution in 66 cytogenetic studies. In 44 patients (66.6%) the results were normal. In 22 (33.3%) examinations, alterations were found, meaning that the respective clinical pictures are decurrent of chromosomic alterations. The first cause within alterations noted was Down syndrome with a total of 15 examinations or 68.1%, the second cause of chromosomal anomaly was the Turner syndrome where the most important factor is 45, X, where 2 karyotypes of this type or 9.1% were found, syndromes as (Eduards syndrome, Patau syndrome, 3p- syndrome, 4p- syndrome and 6p-syndrome) diagnosed in our laboratory appeared less frequently corresponding to 22.7% of the studied anomalies. The work carried out constitutes a necessary diagnosis of the main chromosomal abnormalities through a low cost technique; it can be carried out easily and is reliable, making the cytogenetic examination available to the community and contributing significantly to the quality of life of patients.

Las anormalidades cromosómicas, clínicamente significativas, se presentan en aproximadamente 1% de los niños nacidos vivos. Este trabajo tiene el objetivo de ofrecer a los pacientes y / o a sus familiares el servicio de la Clínica Integrada de la Salud de Uniara (Araraquara y Región), el examen de cariotipo (estudio citogenético) para la confirmación o la exclusión de sospecha de anomalías cromosomales diagnosticadas, así como otorgar información (consejo genético) para la prevención de las posibles anomalías y / o la repetición de éstas. En un año y cuatro meses fueron realizados 66 estudios de citogenética en la Clínica Integrada de Uniara, dirigida por el Laboratorio de Citogenética Humana de la misma institución. En 44 pacientes (66,6%) los resultados fueron normales. En 22 (33,3%) de los exámenes, se encontraron alteraciones, compatibles con alteraciones cromosómicas. La primera causa de anomalías cromosómica fue el síndrome de Down, totalizando 15 exámenes (68,1%), la segunda causa fue el síndrome de Turner, con dos cariotipos (9,1%) en la forma más importante 45, X. Por otra parte, se encontró que los síndromes de Eduards, de Patau, 3p-síndrome de Down, síndrome 4p-6p, diagnosticados en nuestro laboratorio, presentaban baja frecuencia de aparición, representando el 22,7% de las anomalías estudiadas. Este trabajo permitió realizar un diagnóstico preciso de las anomalías cromosomales, principalmente a través de una técnica de bajo costo, fácil ejecución y buena confiabilidad, técnicas que están disponibles para el examen citogenético para la comunidad y así contribuir de manera significativa en la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

In medical sciences, any experimental animal model should be reproducible and adequate to the purpose of simulated human physiological response. In bone injury response research, when bone substitutes are in use, it is of primary importance that studied defects fail to heal unless treated with the tissue engineering therapy under study. This failure defines the concept of "critical size defect" (CSD) wich has different limits according to the animal species used and the location of the defect. Although this is a basic concept, when the aim of the study is to investigate the interface Bone-Biomaterial, it is of primary importance to obtain as much contact area as possible. In order to do so, we propose a modified surgical approach to the classical bi-parietal round sub-critical defect model in rabbit vault.

En las ciencias médicas, cualquier modelo animal de experimentación debe ser reproducible y ajustado al propósito de simular la respuesta fisiológica humana. En la investigación de la respuesta a la lesión ósea, cuando son utilizados sustitutos óseos, es de gran importancia el estudio de defectos que no logran sanar, a menos que sean tratados con terapia de ingeniería de tejidos. Este fracaso define el concepto de "defecto de tamaño crítico" (CDS) el cual tiene límites diferentes según la especie animal utilizada y la ubicación del defecto. Aunque se trata de un concepto básico, cuando el objetivo del estudio es investigar la interfaz hueso-biomaterial, es de primordial importancia obtener la máxima superficie de contacto que sea posible. Para ello, se propone una modificación en el enfoque quirúrgico del modelo clásico de defecto de tamaño subcrítico biparietal en la bóveda de conejo.

Filtration under an ultrasonic field is a technique that is gaining importance in the wastewater treatment research field, not only due to its ability as a cleaning mechanism, but also as a filtration intensifier. The main objective of this research was the study of the influence of ultrasonic waves on the filtration of theoilfield wastewater (known as produced water) in order to increase the operation performance and filter medium regenerative effectiveness. A 0.016 m² hollow cylindrical porous ceramic filter was submitted to the filtration of produced water by two mechanisms: conventional filtration under vacuum and filtration under theinfluence of ultrasonic waves. Experiments were carried out using synthetic produced water by analyzing the variables oil and grease content (O&G) and total suspended solids (TSS) for each filtration run. Backwashing of the filter medium with distilled water was also performed to evaluate the regeneration efficiency. During conventional filtration, permeate flux decreased gradually, becoming stable around 0.06 cm³.cm-2.s-1. Furthermore, in the filtration assisted by ultrasound, the permeate flux was around 0.15 cm³.cm-2.s-1. Therefore, ultrasonic waves provided an increase of about 150% in the permeate flux. Moreover, the sonication improved filter medium regeneration effectiveness, even under conditions of high TSS and O&G contents. Taking into consideration the very positive results associated with the application of ultrasonicwaves, this filtration technique is likely to become an important industrial process.

A moving bed bioreactor containing cubes of polyether foam immersed in a synthetic wastewater (an aqueous mixture of meat extract, yeast extract, dextrose, meat peptone, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium mono-hydrogen-phosphate and magnesium sulphate) was used to evaluate bacterial growth and biomass yield parameters based on Monod's equation. The wastewater was supplied in the bottom of the equipment flowing ascending in parallel with a diffused air current that provided the mixing of the reactor content. Suspended and attached biomass concentration was measured through gravimetric methods. Good agreement was found between experimental kinetic parameters values and those obtained by other researchers. The only significant difference was the high global biomass content about 2 times the values obtained in conventional processes, providing high performance with volumetric loading rates up to 5.5 kg COD/m³/d.

A versão portuguesa do Asthma Quality of Life Questionnairede Marks (AQLQ-M) demonstrou anteriormente que apresenta boas propriedades psicométricas e é adequada para utilização em doentes portugueses com asma. Ao longo dos últimos 40 anos, tem vindo a observar-se um aumento global na prevalência, morbilidade, mortalidade e custos económicos associados à asma, continuando esta a ser uma doença subdiagnosticada e subtratada. Neste estudo, o AQLQ-M foi aplicado a 826 doentes asmáticos de Portugal continental (97,9% caucasianos; média de idades = 40,5 anos; 30,2% do sexo masculino; 69,8% do sexo feminino) seguidos em consulta de pneumologia ou imunoalergologia. Os doentes foram classificados de acordo com os níveis de gravidade do Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Apresentavam asma intermitente 40,5%; 26,9% asma persistente ligeira; 21,4% asma persistente moderada e 11,2% asma persistente grave. A pontuação do AQLQ-M manteve correlações estatisticamente significativas com a gravidade da asma, sintomas e função pulmonar. A maioria dos doentes não se apresentava controlada, tendo 74,6% recorrido ao serviço de urgência ao longo do último ano. Para todas as subescalas do questionário, as mulheres apresentavam pior qualidade de vida (QdV) do que os homens. Surpreendentemente, os fumadores apresentavam melhor QdV do que os indivíduos que nunca fumaram. Os resultados deste estudo revelaram que a versão portuguesa do AQLQ-M é um instrumento útil para a medição da QdV relacionada com a saúde em adultos com asma.

The Portuguese version of the Marks Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ-M) has already proven to have good diagnostic properties, and is suitable for use with Portuguese asthma patients. The last forty years have seen a worldwide rise in the rate, morbidity, mortality and economic burden associated with asthma and the disease continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. In this study the AQLQ-M was administered to 826 asthmatic patients from continental Portugal (97.9% Caucasian, mean age 40.5 years, 30.2% male, 69.8% female), followedup by pulmonologists and allergologists. Patients were classified in line with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) severity categories: 40.5% intermittent asthma, 26.9% mild persistent, 21.4% moderate persistent, 11.2% severe persistent. AQLQ-M scores maintained significant relationships with asthma severity, symptoms and lung function. Most of the patients were not managed and 74.6% were observed in an emergency room during last year. Women reported poorer QoL than men in all the questionnaire’s subscales. Surprisingly, smokers presented better QoL than non-smokers. The results of this study evidence that the Portuguese version of the AQLQ-M is a useful instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in adults with asthma.

O trabalho teve como principal objectivo a obtenção de estirpes de rizóbio adequadas à nodulação de luzernas anuais e adaptadas a sobreviver nas condições ambientais susceptíveis de ocorrer em solos degradados. Dado que as populações de rizóbio apresentam variabilidade considerável no que respeita à tolerância a factores ambientais, os estudos focaram-se na pesquisa e na selecção de estirpes resistentes a condições adversas. Efectuaram-se colheitas de solos em diversas zonas no sul do País, seleccionando-se locais afectados por secura, temperaturas elevadas e, pontualmente, salinidade. A partir destes solos, isolaram-se estirpes de rizóbio, usando como planta hospedeira a luzerna anual Medicago polymorpha. Estudaram-se os efeitos de condições de stresse ambiental, como a salinidade e as altas temperaturas, no crescimento das estirpes isoladas. Dos 41 isolamentos analisados, 11 apresentaram crescimento em meio con-tendo 1,4 M de cloreto de sódio e suplementado com 10% de extracto de terra, e 22 cresceram quando incubadas a 45 ºC em meio sem aditivos. Três estirpes mostraram ter capacidade para crescer sob os efeitos conjuntos da salinidade e da alta temperatura. A análise de extractos etanólicos de estirpes tolerantes à salinidade revelou, na maior parte dos casos, a acumulação, induzida pelo sal, dos solutos compatíveis de Sinorhizobium: o dipéptido N - acetilglutaminilglutamina amida, vários tipos de betaínas, trealose, glutamato e prolina. A observação, por NMR de 31P in vivo, de uma estirpe tolerante ao sal, proveniente de um solo xistoso de baixo teor em fósforo, mostrou a presença de níveis elevados de reservas intracelulares de fosfato inorgânico (polifosfato), sugerindo um bom potencial para utilização em solos onde os riscos de salinização se conjuguem com deficiências em fósforo assimilável.

The main objective of this work was to obtain rhizobial strains able to nodulate annual medics and highly adapted to the environmental conditions present in degraded soils. Since populations of rhizobia vary in their tolerance to environmental factors, screening for resistant strains was pursued. Soil samples were collected in different regions in Southern Portugal, severely affected by drought, high temperatures, and, in some places, salinity; rhizobial strains were isolated using Medicago polymorpha as trap-host. The effects of environmental stressful conditions, such as salinity or high temperatures, in the growth of the isolated strains were studied. Among the 41 isolates that were ana-lysed here, 11 showed good growth capacity in the presence of 1.4 M sodium chloride and 10% soil extract, and 22 could grow upon incubation at 45 ºC. Three strains were able to grow under the simultaneous effects of salinity and high temperature. NMR analysis of ethanolic cell-free extracts of salt tolerant strains showed that, in most cases, cell growth in medium containing high salt concentrations resulted in the accumulation of the compatible solutes described for Sinorhizobium: the dipeptide N-acetylglutaminylglutamine amide, betaines, trehalose, glutamate, and proline. Analysis by in vivo 31P-NMR of a salt tolerant strain originated from a schistous soil with low-phosphorus content, revealed the presence of high levels of intracellular inorganic phosphate reserves (polyphosphates). This suggests a high potential for the utilization of the strain in soils affected by both salinity and phosphorus deficiency.