ABSTRACT Salinity can have detrimental effects on plant development. To minimize this damage, strategies such as balanced maintenance of plants’ nutritional status have been proposed previously. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the optimization of foliar nitrogen fertilization can promote the growth and photochemical efficiency of purple basil subjected to salt stress. The experiment was performed using a randomized block design with an incomplete 5 × 5 factorial arrangement generated through experimental matrix Central Composite Design with two parameters: salinity of irrigation water at 0.5, 0.81, 2.75, 4.69, and 5.50 dS m-1; and nitrogen doses at 0, 58.58, 200, 341.42, and 400 mg L-1. It was found that an increase in the salinity of irrigation water reduced the growth and photochemical efficiency of purple basil. However, the foliar application of nitrogen at the concentration of 400 mg L-1 attenuated the harmful effects of salinity on both the absolute and relative growth rates of stem diameter, the relative growth of plant height, and chlorophyll A fluorescence. These results showed that foliar nitrogen fertilization is a suitable strategy to help mitigate salt stress in basil plants.

RESUMO A salinidade pode promover efeitos danosos ao desenvolvimento vegetal, sendo o necessário o uso de estratégias para minimizar os danos promovidos, como a manutenção equilibrada do estado nutricional da planta. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da adubação nitrogenada foliar e da salinidade no crescimento e eficiência fotoquímica de manjericão roxo. O experimento foi conduzido com o delineamento de blocos casualizados, em arranjo fatorial incompleto 5 × 5 (salinidades da água de irrigação: 0,5; 0,81; 2,75; 4,69 e 5,50 dS m-1 × doses de nitrogênio: 0; 58,58; 200; 341,42 e 400 mg L-1), gerados através da matriz experimental Composto Central de Box. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação reduz o crescimento e a eficiência fotoquímica das plantas de manjericão roxo. Todavia, a aplicação foliar de 400 mg L-1 de N atenuou os efeitos deletérios da salinidade sobre as taxas de crescimento absoluto e relativo para o diâmetro do caule e relativo para a altura de plantas, assim como na fluorescência da clorofila a. Esses resultados mostram que a adubação foliar nitrogenada é uma estratégia para mitigar o estresse salino em plantas de manjericão.

Lithium manganese oxide, LiMn2O4, was synthesized in two temperature stages, where the first consisted by an ecofriendly solution combustion method at 300 °C. Finally, the as-burned powders were thermal treated at 500 and 700 °C. The structural and morphological changes were evaluated by the Rietveld method and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The Rietveld refinement indicates obtaining the spinel cubic phase LiMn2O4 and a small amount of Mn2O3. The analyses by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show a porous microstructure composed of nano-sized crystallites for the sample treated at 500 °C. In cyclic voltammetry, it was possible to observe that the reduction-oxidation reaction is reversible due to the shape of voltammograms and the anodic and cathodic peaks of Mn ions. The theoretical calculations considered the experimental crystallographic parameters. The unit cell volume change was evaluated according to distinct amounts of lithium ions in the structure. The removal of the Li+ cations from the oxides promotes a volume contraction. Therefore, it was possible to evaluate the participation of the Mn3+ ions in the frontier region between the valence and conduction bands. The density of states (DOS) calculation shows a predominant contribution of the O 2p and Mn 3d orbitals in the frontier orbitals.

Lithium cobalt oxide, LiCoO2, widely used as cathode in lithium ion batteries was synthesized and their structural and electronic properties investigated. The crystalline powders were prepared by the sol-gel method with four complexing agents: citric acid, glycine, starch and gelatin. These syntheses were compared with the blank test (without complexing agent). The X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy allowed the identification of the rhombohedral phase LiCoO2 (R3m) as the only or principal crystalline component in all samples. A small fraction of a second phase of cubic spinel Co3O4 was observed in the samples of starch, gelatin and the blank test. The Rietveld refinements showed small structural variations, indicating reduced influence of the complexing agents on the synthesis. The theoretical HOMO-LUMO (highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) gap values are in agreement to those estimated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed morphological pattern regardless of the complexing agent used, showing an alternative method.

Specimens of Leonotis nepetiflolia were obtained from cultivated and wild environments to verify their influences in chemical composition. Phytochemical analyses were conducted for the ethyl acetate phase obtained by partitioning the crude ethanol extract from the cultivated leaves of L. nepetifolia. In doing so, flavonoid 3',4',5-trimethoxy-6,7-dihidroxyflavone (cirsiliol), a chemotaxonomic marker of the family Lamiaceae, was isolated. The results reveal that all phases and extracts tested exhibited weak to moderate antimicrobial activity against the strains of bacteria tested. The evaluation of in vitrocytotoxic and antitumor activity showed that the ethyl acetate phases obtained from both wild and cultivated leaves exhibit high potential cytotoxic and antitumor (> 78.0% of inhibition) activity. The major component of these phases was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses using both 1D and 2D methods. The results further indicate that the flavonoid cirsiliol is the agent responsible for the activity observed in these phases.

AbstractAtemoya is an interspecific annonaceous hybrid between Annona cherimola Mill. and Annona squamosa L. Its phytochemical investigation led to seven alkaloids, including two aporphine (anonaine and asimilobine), three oxoaporphine (lanuginosine, liriodenine and lysicamine) and two proaporphine (pronuciferine and stepharine). These alkaloids were identified by a series of spectrometric methods, mainly MS and NMR (1D and 2D), as well as by comparison with literature data. Our findings showed that this species is an important source of aporphine alkaloids and have high relationship with other Annona species.

No Brasil existem extensas áreas com plantio de pínus para a produção de papel e celulose, processo que gera resíduos sólidos alcalinos, como o dregs. O uso desse resíduo em solos florestais é uma alternativa para correção da acidez do solo, fornecimento de nutrientes às plantas e seu próprio descarte. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito residual da aplicação superficial de dregs, comparando-o com o calcário dolomítico, nos atributos físicos e químicos de um solo ácido e no desenvolvimento de pínus. O experimento foi implantado em 2004 em Bocaina do Sul, SC, em um Cambissolo Húmico alumínico, constituindo da aplicação superficial de doses crescentes de dregs e calcário em uma área de produção de Pinus taeda L. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e parcelas com dimensão de 10 x 10 m. Os tratamentos consistiram de níveis de corretivos da acidez do solo correspondentes à recomendação indicada pelo método SMP para atingir pH 5,5 na camada de 0-20 cm, sendo: sem corretivo; dregs nas doses de 5,08 (1/4 SMP), 10,15 (1/2 SMP) e 20,3 Mg ha-1 (1 SMP); e calcário nas doses de 8,35 (1/2 SMP) e 16,7 Mg ha-1 (1 SMP). Amostras de solo em camadas foram coletadas em 2010 para análise de atributos químicos e físicos do solo. O diâmetro à altura do peito das plantas de pínus com 6,5 anos também foi avaliado. A aplicação superficial de dregs melhorou a fertilidade química do solo, com diminuição da acidez e aumento da saturação por bases de forma semelhante ao calcário, principalmente nas camadas superficiais. O dregs, assim como o calcário, diminuiu o grau de floculação da argila, mas não prejudicou a qualidade física do solo. Quanto ao crescimento em diâmetro do pínus, não houve efeito dos corretivos. Assim, a aplicação de dregs em solos florestais para elevar o pH a 5,5 é uma alternativa para o setor florestal, como forma de descarte do resíduo e aumento da fertilidade do solo.

In Brazil extensive areas are covered with pine forests, planted for pulp and paper production. This industry generates solid alkaline waste, such as dregs. The application of this dregs to forest soils is an alternative for soil acidity correction and plant nutrient supply, as well as a solution for its proper disposal. The purpose of this study was to compare the residual effect of surface application of dregs and dolomitic lime on (a) changes in the physical and chemical properties of an acidic soil and (b) pine tree development. The experiment was carried out in 2004 in Bocaina do Sul, Santa Catarina, consisting of the application of increasing dreg and lime rates to a Pinus taeda L. production area, on a Humic Cambisol, in a randomized block design with four replications and 10 x 10 m plots. The treatments consisted of levels of soil acidity amendments corresponding to the recommendations by the SMP method to reach pH 5.5 in the 0-20 cm layer, as follows: no soil amendment; dregs at 5.08 (1/4 SMP), 10.15 (1/2 SMP) and 20.3 Mg ha-1 (1 SMP); and lime at 8.35 (1/2 SMP) and 16.7 Mg ha-1 (1 SMP). Soil layers were sampled in 2010 for analyses of soil chemical and physical properties. The diameter at breast height of the 6.5 year old pine trees was also evaluated. Surface application of dregs improved soil chemical fertility by reducing acidity and increasing base saturation, similar to liming, especially in surface layers. Dregs, comparable to lime, reduced the degree of clay flocculation, but did not affect the soil physical quality. There was no effect of the amendments on increase in pine tree diameter. Thus, the alternative to raise the pH in forest soils to 5.5 with dregs is promising for the forestry sector with a view to dispose of the waste and increase soil fertility.

A atividade anti-Leishmania do extrato hidroalcoólico de Stachytarpheta cayennensis, espécie utilizada popularmente no tratamento de lesões cutâneas causadas por Leishmania sp, foi testado em ensaios in vitro utilizando formas promastigotas de Leishmania braziliensis e L. amazonensis. O extrato hidroalcoólico foi preparado a partir das folhas secas e utilizado em culturas de L. amazonensis e L. braziliensis nas concentrações de 500 a 32,5 µg/mL. Após 24 horas as formas promastigotas foram quantificadas para o cálculo da CI50. A citotoxicidade do extrato foi avaliada também em culturas de macrófagos peritoneais. O extrato apresentou efeito leishmanicida dose e espécie-dependente para promastigotas de Leishmania sendo mais eficaz para L. braziliensis. O extrato não apresentou efeito citotóxico quando utilizado nas culturas de macrófagos. Concluiu-se que o extrato hidroalcoólico de S. cayennensis inibe formas promastigotas de Leishmania in vitro o que poderia justificar, pelo menos parcialmente, o uso popular dessa espécie no tratamento de úlceras causadas por Leishmania.

Leishmanicidal activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Stachytarpheta cayennensis, species that is usually employed in ulcers caused by Leishmania, was evaluated in vitro using Leishmania braziliensis and L. amazonensis promastigotes forms. The hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from dried leaves and used in L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis promastigotes cultures at concentrations of 500 to 32.5 µg/mL. After 24 hours the promastigotes forms were quantified and the IC50 was calculated. The cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using peritoneal macrophages. The extract presented a dose and specie-dependent leishmanicidal effect to Leishmania promastigotes, mainly to the L. braziliensis ones. The cytotoxic effect was not observed in macrophage cultures. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract of S. cayennensis inhibits the growing of Leishmania promastigotes forms in vitro accounting for the folk use of this vegetal in skin ulcers caused by Leishmania.

This work contains a novel approach for the study of stability in fluidized systems. It includes the influence of solid particle kinetic energy variations, which are known as granular temperature. The stability is verified by the temporal evolution of bed fluid-dynamics properties (solid volumetric fraction, fluid velocity, solid particles velocity) after small perturbations. The bed is stable when the amplitudes of perturbations decrease with time. The work departs from the mass and momentum continuity equations for the solid and fluid phase, as proposed by Anderson and Jackson (1968). Those are complemented by an equation describing the energy balance from the point of view of granular temperature. Then, a linear approximation for the equations after the introduction of small magnitude perturbations is obtained. The application of harmonic solutions allows arriving to the temporal description of the perturbations. Results show the occurrence of instabilities on the direction transverse to gravity. This cannot be observed by previous approaches (Anderson and Jackson, 1968, 1969; Homsy et al., 1980; Liu, 1982). The present work also suggests a new mechanism for the formation of bubbles in fluidized systems. The parametric influence of the model on the stability of fluidized systems is also verified.

As entomoftoromicoses constituem entidade clínica pertencente ao grupo das zigomicoses, cujos agentes etiológicos são o Conidiobolus coronatus, Conidiobolos incongruus e o Basidiobolos ranarum. Um caso de entomoftoromicose cutâneo-mucosa é descrito em homem de 51 anos de idade, lavrador, procedente da região amazônica do Estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Teve diagnóstico esclarecido por exame anatomopatológico, um ano após as manifestações clínicas iniciais. Como tratamento utilizou-se um dos derivados imidazólicos (cetoconazol®) 400mg/dia divididos em duas tomadas, por 12 meses), mostrando boa tolerância, com resposta favorável. Na última avaliação, 24 meses após início do tratamento, encontrava-se clinicamente curado.

Entomophthoromycosis represents a clinical entity belonging to the group of zygomycoses, whose etiological agents are Conidiobolus coronatus, Conidiobolus incongruus and Basidiobolus ranarum. This paper describes the case of a 51-year-old male laborer with mucocutaneous entomophthoromycosis, who originates from the Amazon region of the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The diagnosis was established by anatomopathological examination one year after the onset of clinical manifestations. Treatment consisted of 400 mg daily (divided into two doses every 12 hours) of an imidazole derivative (ketoconazole®), which was tolerated well by the patient who showed a favorable response. The last assessment carried out 24 months after the beginning of treatment revealed that the patient was clinically cured.

Realizou-se estudo prospectivo com 648 crianças de zero a cinco anos no município da Raposa-MA, de julho/97 a junho/98, com o objetivo de avaliar as características da infecção por L.(L.)chagasi e verificar se existe associação entre desnutrição e infecção assintomática. Utilizou-se questionário com dados socioeconômicos, ambientais e hábitos de vida; realizou-se Intradermorreação de Montenegro(IDRM) com antígeno de L. amazonensis e Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay(ELISA) para detectar infecção, e exame antropométrico. A prevalência inicial, final e incidência da infecção foram 18,6%, 20,6% e 10,8% pelo IDRM, e 13,5%, 34,4% e 28% pelo ELISA, respectivamente. A prevalência da desnutrição crônica (altura/idade) foi 26%. Não houve associação estatisticamente significante entre desnutrição e infecção assintomática por L. (L.) chagasi. A forma assintomática da doença está presente nas áreas estudadas, necessitando de medidas de controle mais efetivas.

A prospective study was undertaken in 648 children with less than 6 years of age in the municipality of Raposa, Maranhão, Brazil, from June 1997 to June 1998, to evaluate the characteristics of the infection by L.(L.)chagasi and verify if there is an association between malnutrition and asymptomatic infection. A standardized questionnaire was used containing socioeconomic, environmental and behavioral data. Montenegro skin reaction (IDRM) with L. amazonensis and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test to detect infection, and anthropometric examination were performed. Initial and final prevalence and incidence of infection were 18.6%, 20.6% and 10.8% as measured by IDRM and 13.5%, 34.4% and 28% according to ELISA. The prevalence of chronic malnutrition was 26%. No association was detected between malnutrition and asymptomatic infection by L. (L.) chagasi. More effective control measures are needed in these areas since asymptomatic infection seems to be on the increase.

Os relatos da esquistossomose mansônica acometendo o sistema nervoso central (SNC) são pouco frequentes, sendo raramente descrito no encéfalo, onde os ovos do Schistosoma mansoni usualmente provocam reação granulomatosa comportando-se como lesão expansiva. Um paciente do sexo masculino, procedente de São Vicente de Ferrer, Baixada Ocidental Maranhense, área endêmica da doença, 27 anos de idade, apresentou tumor no cerebelo, o qual foi tratado cirurgicamente. O estudo histopatológico da lesão cerebelar, demonstrou extensa reação granulomatosa ao redor de ovos em desintegração de Schistosoma mansoni. Os granulomas exibiam diferentes estágios de evolução, desde necrótico exsudativo até produtivo. Este caso representa o primeiro de neuroesquistossomose relatado no estado do Maranhão. A evolução pós-operatória do paciente caracterizou-se por déficit e incoordenação motora dos membros superior e inferior direito associado a tremores.

The involvement of the central nervous system in the Schistosomiasis mansoni is uncommon and in the literature exist few reports in relation this ocurrence in the brain, in that the schistosoma eggs, usually promote a granulomatous reaction that remember an expansive tumour. A patient, male sex, from São Vicente de Ferrer (MA), 27 years old, had a tumour in the cerebellum, that had cirurgical therapy. Later histological studies of the cerebellar material of the patient, demonstrated an extensive granulomatous reaction around schistosoma eggs. The granulomatous reaction present different stages of evolution, since degenerative necrosis to organization granulomatous reaction. This is the first report from Maranhão (Brazil). The evolution of the patient was caracterized for incordination of members and trembles.

Os autores fazem um breve relato da evolução histórica da leishmaniose visceral no Estado do Maranhão, Brasil, avaliando as possíveis causas da expansão da referida doença no Estado, assim como as medidas de controle adotadas pelo Ministério da Saúde objetivando a diminuição da incidência da mesma.

The authors provide a brief report on the historical evolution of visceral leishmaniasis in the State of Maranhão, Brazil, evaluating possible factors for growth of the disease in the State and control measures by the Brazilian Ministry of Health to integrate health services finto the maintenance of control programs.

Os autores fazem um breve relato da evolução histórica da leishmaniose visceral no Estado do Maranhão, Brasil, avaliando as possíveis causas da expansão da referida doença no Estado, assim como as medidas de controle adotadas pelo Ministério da Saúde objetivando a diminuição da incidência da mesma.

The authors provide a brief report on the historical evolution of visceral leishmaniasis in the State of Maranhão, Brazil, evaluating possible factors for growth of the disease in the State and control measures by the Brazilian Ministry of Health to integrate health services finto the maintenance of control programs.

Após estudo de 30pacientes portadores de cromoblastomicose, acompanhados no hospital dos servidores do Estado do Maranhão, verificou-se em 2 (6,6%) lesões ná região glútea, diferindo do que geralmente se observa, pois na cromoblastomicose existe sempre história de microtraumatismo sofridos durante o trabalho na lavoura, propiciando o desenvolvimento mais freqüente das lesões nas extremidades, principalmente dos membros inferiores. Ambos pacientes, doentes há 10 anos, apresentavam lesões nodulares e verrugo-confluentes em placas coalescentes na região glútea direita. O diagnóstico etiológico foi firmado através de exame histopatológico e cultura, com isolamento de Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Na investigação epidemiológica do tipo de exposição verificou-se que os mesmos desempenhavam a profissão de quebradores de coco-babaçu, atividade relativamente comum no Estado. Parece evidente a relação entre o tipo de atividade profissional e o desenvolvimento da infecção.

During a survey of 30 patients with chromoblastomycosis followed at the Hospital dos Servidores do Estado do Maranhão, the authors observed in 2 (6.6%)patients with lesions on the buttock. This is an uncommon site for the initial lesions of chromoblastomycosis. There is often a history of microtraumatism during the farming job hence the more frequent development of lesions in the lower limbs. Both patients had 10 years disease, with the presence of nodules and vegetant warty lesions in coalescentplaques on the right buttock. Etiologic diagnosis made through histopatologic and culture exams, with Fonsecaea pedrosoi isolated, the epidemiological exposure of the patients, was suggested by the fact that both worked as babaçu coconut cutters a common activity in Maranhão State. The relation betweenthis kind of professional activity and the development of infection merits for the investigation.

Os autores relatam um caso de leishmaniose cutânea difusa, com longa evolução epresençade lesões infiltradas difusas ricas em amastigotas havendo ausência de envolvimento mucoso. A caracterização in situ com anticorpos monocbnais revelou Leishmania amazonensis. Durante a evolução de sua doença, extensas lesões regionais apresentaram cicatrizaçâo espontânea, Considerando que a LCD apresenta-se com um déficit na resposta imune celular, este fato demonstra que o paciente pode ter desenvolvido uma resposta imune celular regional capaz de destruir os parasitas e produzir cicatrizaçâo de algumas lesões.

The authors report a case of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, with longstanding evolution and presenting with diffuse infiltrated lesions rich in amastigotes in the absence of mucosal involvement. In situ characterization with monoclonal antibodies revealed Leishmania amazonensis. Large regional lesions have presented spontaneous healing without specific therapy. Considering that DCL presents with a defect in the cellular immune response, thisfact demonstrate that this patient may develop a regional cellular immune response enough to destroy the parasites and to produce clearing of some lesions.