RESUMO Objetivo: A silicose é uma pneumoconiose caracterizada por fibrose do parênquima pulmonar causada por inalação de partículas de sílica. Fatores genéticos podem desempenhar um papel na gravidade da silicose. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a influência de polimorfismos dos genes ACE, FAS, FASLG, NOS2, IL1RN, FAM13A, TGFB1 e TNF na gravidade da silicose. Métodos: Nove polimorfismos foram genotipados por meio de PCR em uma amostra composta por 143 pacientes com silicose no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Resultados: A silicose foi classificada em simples em 57 (40%) dos pacientes e em complicada, em 86 (60%). O genótipo TT do polimorfismo rs1800469 do gene TGFB1 teve efeito protetor contra a silicose complicada (OR = 0,35; IC95%: 0,14-0,92; p = 0,028) em comparação com os outros dois genótipos (CC+CT). O alelo T polimórfico do polimorfismo rs763110 do gene FASLG (OR = 0,56; IC95%: 0,31-0,99; p = 0,047) e um modelo dominante do alelo T (TT+CT: OR = 0,37; IC95%: 0,15-0,96; p = 0,037) também tiveram efeito protetor. Quando se compararam os pacientes que tinham silicose simples com um tempo maior de exposição à sílica (> 44.229 horas) àqueles que tinham silicose complicada com um tempo menor de exposição à sílica, o alelo T do polimorfismo rs763110 do gene FASLG (OR = 0,20; IC95%: 0,08-0,48; p < 0,0001) e modelos dominantes e recessivos (OR = 0,06; IC95%: 0,00-0,49; p = 0,01 e OR = 0,22; IC95%: 0,06-0,77; p = 0,014, respectivamente) tiveram efeito protetor contra a gravidade da silicose. Conclusões: Polimorfismos rs1800469 do gene TGFB1 e polimorfismos rs763110 do gene FASLG parecem estar envolvidos na gravidade da silicose. Como há poucos estudos que tenham estabelecido relações entre polimorfismos genéticos e a gravidade da silicose, esses resultados devem ser replicados em outras populações.

ABSTRACT Objective: Silicosis is a pneumoconiosis characterized by fibrosis of the lung parenchyma caused by inhalation of silica particles. Genetic factors might play a role in the severity silicosis. We sought to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms in the ACE, FAS, FASLG, NOS2, IL1RN, FAM13A, TGFB1, and TNF genes on the severity of silicosis. Methods: Nine polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR in a sample of 143 patients with silicosis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Results: Fifty-seven patients (40%) were classified as having simple silicosis and 86 (60%) were classified as having complicated silicosis. The TT genotype of rs1800469 in the TGFB1 gene showed a protective effect for complicated silicosis (OR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.92; p = 0.028) when compared with the other two genotypes (CC+CT). The polymorphic T allele of rs763110 in the FASLG gene (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99; p = 0.047), as well as a dominant model for the T allele (TT+CT: OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.96; p = 0.037), also showed a protective effect. When patients with simple silicosis despite having been exposed to silica for a longer time (> 44,229 hours) were compared with patients with complicated silicosis despite having been exposed to silica for a shorter time, the T allele of rs763110 in the FASLG gene (OR = 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08-0.48; p < 0.0001), as well as dominant and recessive models (OR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.00-0.49; p = 0.01 and OR = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.06-0.77; p = 0.014, respectively), showed a protective effect against the severity of silicosis. Conclusions: It appears that rs1800469 polymorphisms in the TGFB1 gene and rs763110 polymorphisms in the FASLG gene are involved in the severity of silicosis. Given the lack of studies relating genetic polymorphisms to the severity of silicosis, these results should be replicated in other populations.

ABSTRACT Understanding soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics in production systems on tropical soils is necessary to guide strategies to increase SOM formation. This study aimed to evaluate soil carbon (C) dynamics by combining applications of different plant residues used on tropical soils. An incubation study was carried out with and without adding millet (Pennisetum americanum) residues combined with six crop residues (legumes and non-legumes); and one additional treatment with only millet residue. Higher C-CO2 fluxes recorded in jack bean, sunflower and velvet bean residues were correlated with high soluble compound contents (49.5, 49.6 and 32.1 %, respectively). Adding millet residues resulted in positive PE for all residue combinations. Soils without millet, except jack bean, had a negative PE. Residues application promoted four times increase in C-POM content (from 1.04 to 4.2 g kg-1 soil). The C-MAOM content had 2.4 times increase, being more expressive due to its high initial content (from 15.3 to 37.3 g kg-1 soil). The comparison between the final C contents in the SOM fractions showed a significant increase of 8.8 times for MAOM in relation to POM, demonstrating the larger dimension of this C reservoir in the soil. Both combinations of legumes + non-legumes and non-legume + non-legume contributed significantly to the conversion of C to MAOM. The results give insight into possible management strategies for significant C increments in the more stable SOM fractions, depending on the residue type (quality) and residue combination.

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to evaluate the physiological and productive aspects of irrigated cassava crop. The statistical design used was randomised blocks, with six treatments and four replications. The used treatments were irrigation levels, based on the crop evapotranspiration – ETC – (L0 = 0% [rainfed], L1 = 40%, L2 = 80%, L3 = 120%, L4 = 160% and L5 = 200% of the ETC) and the analysed physiological variables were: gas exchange, the quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) and the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index. The growth and crop productivity were also evaluated through of the leaf area index (LAI), the number and productivity of commercial roots and total biomass. In this research, the total irrigation depth was defined as the irrigation depth plus the effective rainfall. The estimated ETC was 1,030 mm over the 12-month production cycle and the greatest value for LAI and SPAD were 7.6 and 57.4, respectively, obtained in irrigated areas with the level of 80% of the ETC. While, in the areas irrigated with 120% of the ETC, were obtained the highest values of root productivity (93 Mg·ha–1), total biomass yield (149 Mg·ha–1) and photosynthetic rate (22.4 μmol CO2·m–2·s–1). On the other hand, with irrigation equivalent at 200% of the ETC were obtained the greatest values of internal CO2 concentration (245 μmol CO2·m–2·s–1), stomatal conductance (0.35 μmol H2O·m–2·s–1) and effective quantum efficiency (0.68).

Resumo: Elasmobrânquios apresentam os maiores declínios populacionais entre os vertebrados, sendo considerado um dos grupos com maior risco de extinção. O Litoral Amazônico Brasileiro (BAC) é considerado uma área prioritária para conservação de elasmobrânquios, pois várias espécies são endêmicas da região, e a maioria delas estão ameaçadas de extinção. O presente estudo fez uma análise cientométrica aplicando o método IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) para avaliar as tendências de pesquisas com elasmobrânquios no BAC nas últimas quatro décadas. Dez tendências de pesquisa foram identificadas, destacando-se “Biodiversidade”, “Reprodução”, “Ecologia trófica” e “Conservação”. Entretanto, a maioria das publicações encontradas é voltada para o conhecimento da diversidade e abundância das espécies na região, sendo o número de estudos voltados para a reprodução, alimentação e outros aspectos da biologia e ecologia de elasmobrânquios do BAC menos expressivo. Apesar da área de investigação “Conservação” ter se destacado na busca, a quantidade de informações relevantes para que medidas de manejo e conservação possam ser implementadas ainda é baixa. Por fim, apesar de seguir a tendência mundial de estudos com elasmobrânquios entre 2000 a 2010, as investigações sobre o BAC precisam avançar, especialmente considerando o baixo nível de informações básicas sobre a maioria das espécies (biologia e dinâmica populacional) e o conhecimento incompleto da composição específica das espécies de elasmobrânquios em toda a área, aspectos relevantes para a conservação e estudos mais aplicados e que contem com metodologias e tecnologias mais recentes.

Abstract: Elasmobranchs exhibit the biggest population declines among vertebrates, being considered one of the groups with the highest risk of extinction. The Brazilian Amazon Coast (BAC) is considered a priority area for elasmobranch conservation, as many species are endemic to the region, and most of them are threatened with extinction. The present study made a scientometric analysis using the IRAMUTEQ method (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) to evaluate the trends of research with elasmobranchs in BAC in the last four decades. Ten research trends were identified, highlighting “Biodiversity”, “Reproduction”, “Trophic Ecology” and “Conservation”. However, most of the publications found are aimed at understanding the diversity and abundance of species in the region, with the number of studies focused on reproduction, feeding and other aspects of the biology and ecology of elasmobranchs in the BAC being less expressive. Although the research area “Conservation” stood out in the search, the amount of relevant information so that management and conservation measures can be implemented is still low. Lastly, despite following the global trend of studies with elasmobranchs between 2000 and 2010, investigations into the BAC need to advance, especially considering the poor level of basic information on most species (Biology and population dynamics) and the incomplete knowledge of specific composition of elasmobranch species in the entire area, aspects relevant to conservation and more applied studies that rely on more recent methodologies and technologies.

ABSTRACT Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson, Verbenaceae, is considered a great source of a bioactive volatile oil. Due to the wide range of known chemotypes, its chemical analysis is very important. Among the several activities of this volatile oil, a potential larvicidal action against Culicidae species is highlighted. However, the low water miscibility of volatile oils limits their application in aqueous media. Oil in water nano-emulsions are in the spotlight of novelty to solve this main problem. Thus, the aim of the present study was to obtain this nanostructured system with L. alba volatile oil (citral chemotype) and evaluate its larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The major compounds were geranial (30.02%) and neral (25.26%). Low mean droplet size (117.0 ± 1.0 nm) and low polydispersity index (0.231 ± 0.004) were observed and no major changes were observed after seven days of storage. LC50 values against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti third-instar larvae were respectively 38.22 and 31.02 ppm, while LC90 values were, respectively, 59.42 and 47.19 ppm. The present study makes use of a low energy, solvent-free and ecofriendly method with reduced costs. Thus, this paper contributes significantly to phyto-nanobiotechnology of larvicidal agents, opening perspectives for the utilization of L. alba volatile oil in integrated practices of vector control.

The interest in a better quality of life raised the concern about food safety. The administration of veterinary drugs in livestock may lead the occurrence of residues in food that may be harmful to consumers. Processed products are being consumed more and more, which increases concern for the safety of infants and children because they are more susceptible physiologically. Among these products stand out canned baby foods, defined by Ordinance 34/1998 issued by Brazilian Ministry of Health. Eggs and meat-based salty products for infants and children, legally designated as soups, fit into this definition and can not contain residues of hormones, antibiotics, as well as other pharmacologically active substances. Several techniques are used as identification and confirmatory assays of veterinary drug residues in food, although the main used technique is liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The aim of this work was to make a comparative assessment between different extraction methods in order to establish the best condition within the tested ones for the identification of macrolide residues in meat-based canned baby food by LC-MS/MS. A simple and effective extraction method, with good recoveries (65-93%) and satisfactory relative standard deviations (0.4-11%), was achieved using QuEChERS procedure for sample preparation.

In the present article it is described the validation of a simple, precise, accurate, rapid and low-cost UV spectrophotometric method for the quantification of acetylsalicylic acid in pharmaceutical formulations. The method was validated by linearity, specificity, range, accuracy, precision, robustness, and limits of detection and quantification. The method was linear in the range between 24 – 36 µg mL-1, presenting a good correlation coefficient (r = 0.9994) and adequate limits of quantification (6.57 µg mL-1) and detection (1.99 µg mL-1). Precision analysis showed low coefficient of variation (< 2.0%) and a good average recovery percentual (99.42% - reference and 95.94% - generic). The results and the statistical treated proved that the method may be considered a precise, accurate and low cost analytical alternative for laboratory routine and experimental activity. The method was applied for acetylsalicylic acid determination in two different pharmaceuticals formulations. The results of these analyzes are in accordance with the values declared by the manufacturer, at a 95% confidence level. This experimental activity is a simple and might be used as an practice activities on teaching laboratories improve the student learning.

RESUMO O tabagismo é o maior responsável pelas doenças respiratórias (DR). Os efeitos nocivos do tabaco sobre o aparelho respiratório se iniciam ainda intraútero e influenciam as respostas imunológicas ao longo da infância e vida adulta. Os tabagistas com DR possuem peculiaridades que podem dificultar a cessação tabágica, tais como maior grau de dependência e de abstinência de nicotina; níveis mais elevados de monóxido de carbono exalado; motivação e autoeficácia baixas; maior preocupação com ganho ponderal; e elevada prevalência de ansiedade e depressão. Além disso, requerem tratamento mais intensivo e prolongado. É necessário esclarecer sempre o paciente sobre o fato de que parar de fumar será a única medida que irá reduzir a progressão das DR e melhorar sua qualidade de vida, independentemente do tempo e da gravidade da doença. Os médicos devem sempre oferecer o tratamento de cessação tabágica. O tratamento ambulatorial ou hospitalar deve ser multidisciplinar, baseado em intervenções comportamentais e farmacoterapia, sendo eficaz e custo-efetivo, dobrando as chances de sucesso.

ABSTRACT Smoking is the leading cause of respiratory disease (RD). The harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system begin in utero and influence immune responses throughout childhood and adult life. In comparison with “healthy” smokers, smokers with RD have peculiarities that can impede smoking cessation, such as a higher level of nicotine dependence; nicotine withdrawal; higher levels of exhaled carbon monoxide; low motivation and low self-efficacy; greater concern about weight gain; and a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In addition, they require more intensive, prolonged treatment. It is always necessary to educate such individuals about the fact that quitting smoking is the only measure that will reduce the progression of RD and improve their quality of life, regardless of the duration and severity of the disease. Physicians should always offer smoking cessation treatment. Outpatient or inpatient smoking cessation treatment should be multidisciplinary, based on behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy. It will thus be more effective and cost-effective, doubling the chances of success.

Abstract Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of some neglected diseases, including dengue. It is very important to develop formulations that increase effectiveness of vector control with low toxicity. Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid that modulates the development of some insects. The low water solubility of quercetin impairs the development of water-dispersible commercial products. To circumvent this problem, the preparation of nanoformulations is considered promising. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of bulk and quercetin nanosuspension against A. aegypti larvae and also to investigate their ecotoxicity. Quercetin nanosuspension was produced by a solvent displacement method followed by solvent evaporation and was maintained in two different temperatures (4 and 25 ºC). Its size distribution and zeta potential were monitored along 30 days. The influence of quercetin nanosuspension and bulk-quercetin was investigated at various concentrations against A. aegypti and the green algae Chlorella vulgaris. The quercetin nanosuspension presented higher stability at 4 ºC and negative zeta potential values. Quercetin nanosuspension and bulk-quercetin adversely affected the larvae development, especially at the highest concentrations. Larvae mortality was between 44% and 100% (48 h) for quercetin nanosuspension at 100 and 500 ppm, respectively. The bulk-quercetin induced around 50% mortality regardless the concentration used at this same time-period. Absence of emerging mosquitoes from water was observed on the survival larvae of all the treated groups. Quercetin nanosuspension was less toxic than bulk-quercetin against C. vulgaris, especially at higher concentrations. These data indicate that quercetin nanosuspension may represent a potential larvicide for A. aegypti control, once they induced larvae death and inhibited the survival ones to emerge from water. In addition, it did not demonstrated ecotoxicity against a non-target organism, highlighting its better properties, when compared to the bulk-quercetin.

RESUMO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar um surto de aborto em um rebanho de cabras leiteiras no município de Arapoti, Paraná, Brasil. No início do surto, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 33 cabras com sinais clínicos; mais tarde, de todo o rebanho caprino, dois gatos e dois cachorros. Foram obtidas amostras de leite das 78 cabras em lactação. Quatro amostras ambientais de solo e quatro de resíduos de comedouro também foram coletadas. O teste de imunofluorescência (IFI) foi utilizado para o sorodiagnóstico, a análise molecular foi conduzida por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), para isolamento do agente etiológico utilizou-se o bioensaio. Os resultados da IFI revelaram que 76,53% (137/179) das cabras, todos os cães e gatos eram soropositivos para Toxoplasma gondii. O bioensaio revelou uma amostra de camada leucocitária e duas de leite contaminadas com T. gondii viável. Na PCR, 11 amostras de sangue total, oito de leite, três resíduos alimentares e todas as amostras de solo foram positivas. Os resultados do presente estudo confirmaram um surto causado por contaminação ambiental (de solo e alimentos) com oocistos de T. gondii que, provavelmente, foram eliminados por gatos que permaneceram na fazenda e tinham acesso ao estoque de alimento dos caprinos, reforçando a necessidade de assistência técnica veterinária e boas práticas de manejo.

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to investigate an abortion outbreak in a dairy goat herd in the municipality of Arapoti, Parana, Brazil. At the beginning of the outbreak, blood samples were collected from 33 goats with clinical signs; later, of the whole goat herd, two cats and two dogs. Milk samples were collected from 78 lactating goats. Four environmental soil samples and four samples of feed residue from goat feeders were collected too. Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) was used for serodiagnosis, the molecular analysis was conducted by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for the isolation of the etiological agent the bioassay was used. The results of the IFA revealed that 76.53% (137/179) of the goats, two dogs and two cats were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. Bioassay revealed one buffy coat and two milk sample having viable T. gondii. In the PCR, 11 whole blood samples, eight milk, three feeder troughs, and all soil samples were positive. The findings of the present study confirmed an outbreak caused by environmental contamination (of soil and feed) with T. gondii oocysts that could have been shed by kittens that lived on the farm and had access to the stock of goat food, facilitating this contamination, which reinforces the need for veterinary assistance and good management practices on farms.

ABSTRACT: In order to simulate compressible shear flow stability and aeroacoustic problems, a numerical code must be able to capture how a baseflow behaves when submitted to small disturbances. If the disturbances are amplified, the flow is unstable. The linear stability theory (LST) provides a framework to obtain information about the growth rate in relation to the excitation frequency for a given baseflow. A linear direct numerical simulation (DNS) should capture the same growth rate as the LST, providing a severe test for the code. In the present study, DNS simulations of a two-dimensional compressible mixing layer and of a two-dimensional compressible plane jet are performed. Disturbances are introduced at the domain inflow and spatial growth rates obtained with a DNS code are compared with growth rates obtained from LST analyses, for each baseflow, in order to verify and validate the DNS code. The good comparison between DNS simulations and LST results indicates that the code is able to simulate compressible flow problems and it is possible to use it to perform numerical simulation of instability and aeroacoustic problems.

Abstract: A case of dengue virus 3 (DENV-3) genotype I infection with neurological manifestations occurred in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais in October 2012. The serotype was detected by PCR, and the genotype was assessed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the C-prM region. The virus causing neurological manifestations clustered with other sequences of DENV-3 genotype I. Because neurological manifestations of DENV are possibly misdiagnosed in Brazil, this study serves as an alert of the importance of DENV diagnoses in CNS infections.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a ocorrência de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. em um sistema público de tratamento de água. Amostras de água bruta e tratada foram coletadas e concentradas, utilizando-se a técnica de filtração em membranas. Foi realizada a técnica de Imunofluorescência Direta nas amostras. A extração de DNA foi realizada, utilizando-se um kit comercial, e o DNA extraído foi submetido a uma reação de nested-PCR (n-PCR). Na imunofluorescência, 2/24 (8,33%) amostras de água bruta foram positivas para Giardiaspp.. Na n-PCR, 2/24 (8,33%) amostras de água bruta foram positivas para Giardia spp., e 2/24 (8,33%) amostras foram positivas para Cryptosporidium spp.. O sequenciamento demonstrou DNA de Cryptosporidium parvum e de Giardia duodenalis. Na água bruta, houve correlação moderada entre turbidez, cor e Cryptosporidium spp. e entre a turbidez e Giardia spp.. A presença desses protozoários na água indica a necessidade de monitoramento pelas empresas de tratamento de água.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in a public water-treatment system. Samples of raw and treated water were collected and concentrated using the membrane filtration technique. Direct Immunofluorescence Test was performed on the samples. DNA extraction using a commercial kit was performed and the DNA extracted was submitted to a nested-PCR reaction (n-PCR) and sequencing. In the immunofluorescence, 2/24 (8.33%) samples of raw water were positive for Giardia spp.. In n-PCR and sequencing, 2/24 (8.33%) samples of raw water were positive for Giardia spp., and 2/24 (8.33%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp.. The sequencing showed Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis DNA. In raw water, there was moderate correlation among turbidity, color and Cryptosporidium spp. and between turbidity and Giardia spp.. The presence of these protozoans in the water indicates the need for monitoring for water-treatment companies.

Vaccinia virus naturally circulates in Brazil and is the causative agent of a zoonotic disease known as bovine vaccinia (BV). We retrospectively evaluated two populations from the Amazon and Southeast Regions. BV outbreaks had not been reported in these regions before sample collection. Neutralising antibodies were found in 13 individuals (n = 132) with titres ranging from 100 ≥ 6,400 neutralising units/mL. Univariate analysis identified age and vaccination as statistically significant risk factors in individuals from the Southeast Region. The absence of detectable antibodies in vaccinated individuals raises questions about the protection of smallpox vaccine years after vaccination and reinforces the need for surveillance of Orthopoxvirus in Brazilian populations without evidence of previous outbreaks.

Abstract Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising area for innovative products, including insecticides. Dengue is a tropical disease which is considered a critical health problem in developing countries, due to negative impacts to the environment caused by synthetic chemicals used for vector control (Aedes aegypti). Thus, developing of natural products based insecticidal are considered very promising. On this context, the aim of the present study was to obtain an O/W nanoemulsion containing Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lamiaceae, essential oil and evaluate its larvicidal activity against A. aegypti. Low energy method was employed, allowing achievement of small droplets. The nanoemulsion also presented low polydispersity and mean droplet below 200 nm, even after 30 days of storage. Potential mortality levels were observed after 24 h (80 ± 10%) and 48 h (90 ± 10%) in A. aegypti larvae at final concentration of 250 ppm, related to R. officinalis essential oil. This study contributes to nanobiotechnology of natural products, presenting a potential larvicidal nanoemulsion prepared with R. officinalis essential oil. Moreover, nanoemulsion production involved a non-heating procedure, describing easy technique which may be useful for integrative control programs.