ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the supplementation of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins on the performance and plasma concentrations of vitamins in modern hybrids pigs. A total of 144 commercial hybrid castrated male, 43.531 ± 1.099kg, were used in a randomized block design with six treatments, eight replicates and three animals per pen. The experimental treatments were different vitamin supplementation levels - 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125% of the recommended by Rostagno et al. (2011) for male pigs in growth I (40 to 50kg), growth II (50 to 70kg), and finishing I (70 to 90kg) phases. For growth phases I and II, a linear effect (P<0.05) due to increase in vitamin supplementation was observed on performance. For finishing phase I and total phase, a linear effect (P<0.05) was observed with increased final average weight (FAW) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). For average daily weight gain (ADWG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) a quadratic effect was observed (P<0.05). A linear (P<0.05) increase in plasmatic α-tocopherol and B12 was observed with the 125%. Thus, it is concluded that the 125% vitamin supplementation improved performance of modern hybrids pigs (40 to 90kg).

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação de vitaminas lipossolúveis e hidrossolúveis sobre o desempenho e as concentrações plasmáticas de vitaminas em suínos híbridos modernos. Um total de 144 híbridos machos castrados, 43,531 ± 1,099kg, foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos, oito repetições e três animais por baia. Os tratamentos foram diferentes níveis de vitaminas - 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 e 125% do recomendado por Rostagno et al. (2011) para suínos machos nas fases de crescimento I (40 a 50kg), crescimento II (50 a 70kg) e terminação I (70 a 90kg). Para as fases de crescimento I e II, observou-se efeito linear (P<0,05) devido ao aumento na suplementação vitamínica sobre o desempenho. Para a fase de terminação I e a fase total, observou-se efeito linear (P<0,05) com o aumento do peso médio final (PMF) e melhoria da conversão alimentar (CA). Já para as variáveis de ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD) e consumo de ração médio diário (CRMD,) observou-se efeito quadrático (P<0,05). Houve aumento linear (P<0,05) em α-tocoferol e cobalamina plasmáticos devido à suplementação de 125%. Assim, conclui-se que a suplementação com 125% de vitaminas melhorou o desempenho de suínos híbridos modernos (40 a 90kg).

Zr-Si-N thin films were co-deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering to verify the influence of silicon content (1.6 and 8.0 at. % Si) and substrate temperature (room temperature and heated to 973 K) on structure, morphology, chemical bonds and hardness. GAXRD shows a change in grain orientation from (111) to (200) due substrate heating for sample Zr0.984Si0.016N, furthermore, it was not possible to identify any silicon compounds in all deposited samples. SEM-FEG images show greater roughness and surface clusters for sample Zr0.920Si0.080N due to the heat applied on the substrate, with Si3N4 decomposition, influencing thin film hardness. XPS analyses of Si 2p photoelectronic region shows only Si3N4 presence in all samples, proving, in conjunction with other characterization results, the non-formation of substitutional or interstitial solid solution, regardless of substrate heating or silicon content added to ZrN matrix.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi estabelecer os parâmetros oftálmicos na raça Spitz Alemão anão. Realizaram-se teste lacrimal de Schirmer (TLS), tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal (TRFL), teste de Jones (TJ), estesiometria, biomicroscopia, tonometria, microscopia especular (MS), oftalmoscopia e ultrassonografia (US) em 48 olhos de 24 cães machos e fêmeas da raça Sptiz Alemão anão, oriundos de canil de criação. Aplicou-se estatística descritiva. As médias e erros padrões encontrados para TLS, TRL, TJ, estesiometria e tonometria foram 24,310±0,448mm/min, 14,570±0,406s., 8,420±1,571min, 3,667±0,157cm e 17,960±0,697mmHg, respectivamente. À biomicroscopia, 43,75% dos olhos apresentaram triquíase de carúncula, 25% cromodacriorreia, 25% entrópio de canto medial e 10,42% distiquíases. À MS, os valores para densidade das células endoteliais, hexagonalidade, área das células endoteliais e espessura corneal central foram 1958,285±36,760 cells/mm², 62,229±2,183%, 519,231±9,853mm² e 0,567±0,006mm, respectivamente. À oftalmoscopia, padrão conforme descrito para cães. Fundo amelanótico foi reportado em 8,33% das retinas. Ao US, os valores identificados para diâmetro axial horizontal, espessura da lente, profundidade das câmaras anterior e posterior foram 16,859±0,148mm, 6,651±0,081mm, 2,673±0,091mm and 7,485±0,101mm. Leves alterações nos parâmetros lacrimais foram influenciadas por alterações palpebrais no TLS tipo I. Sensibilidade corneana aumentada foi identificada na raça.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to establish ophthalmic parameters in the Pomeranian dog breed. Schirmer tear test (STT), tear breakup time test (TBUTT), Jones test (JT), aesthesiometry, biomicroscopy, tonometry, non-contact specular microscopy (SM), ophthalmoscopy and ultrasonography (US) were carried out 48 eyes of 24 male and female Pomeranian dogs from a breeding kennel. Descriptive statistics was applied for data analysis. Means and standard errors found for STT, TBUT, JT, esthesiometry and tonometry were 24.310±0.448mm/min, 14.570±0.406s., 8.420±1.571min, 3.667±0.157cm and 17.960±0.697mmHg, respectively. For biomicroscopy, 43.75% of the eyes presented caruncle trichiasis, 25% chromodacryorrhea, 25% medial entropion and 10,42% distichiasis. SM showed endothelial cells density of 1958.285±36.760 cells/mm². For hexagonality, endothelial cells area and central corneal thickness were 62.229±2.183%, 519.231±9.853mm², 0.567±0.006mm, respectively. Ophthalmoscopy presented a pattern described in other breeds. Amelanotic fundus was reported in 8.33% of the eyes. The US means and standard errors for axial length of the eyeball, lens thickness, anterior and vitreous chamber depth were 16.859±0.148mm, 6.651±0.081mm, 2.673±0.091mm and 7.485±0.101mm. Mild changes in the lacrimal evaluation parameters were influenced by eyelid changes in STT type I. Increased corneal sensitivity was observed in the breed.

Abstract During grain storage, a considerable amount of product is lost because of insects, such as Zabrotes subfasciatus. Currently, to mitigate these risks, studies are searching for plants with potential for the control of agricultural pests, also known as botanical insecticides. In this study, the fumigant toxicity of the essential oils of Piper callosum (PC-EO), Piper marginatum (PM-EO) and Vitex agnus-castus (VA-EO) against Zabrotes subfasciatus was investigated. The essential oils of PC-EO, PM-EO and VA-EO were analysed by gas chromatography (GC-MS), and the major components were 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone (10.4%), bicyclogermacrene (10.1%) and germacrene D (9.9%) for PM-EO; safrol (29.3%) for PC-EO; and 1,8-cineol (23.8%) for VA-EO. In fumigation tests, VA-EO killed 100% Zabrotes subfasciatus at a concentration of 0.004 µL/L air after 24 h of treatment, whereas PC-EO and PM-EO at 0.01 µL/L air caused 100% Z. subfasciatus mortality after 48 h. The VA-EO sample provided the lowest LD50 after 24 h (0.17 µL/L air), followed by PC-EO (0.78 µL/L air) and PM-EO (1.17 µL/L air). These results demonstrate that the essential oils of these species can be an alternative to control pests in stored products. This is the first report of the fumigant potential of these species against Z. subfasciatus.

RESUMO Avaliou-se o valor nutricional do capim-elefante verde colhido aos 56, 84 e 112 dias de idade, por meio do consumo e da digestibilidade em ovinos, da degradabilidade in situ e da cinética da fermentação ruminal. O capim-elefante colhido aos 56 dias proporcionou maiores valores de consumo da MS (1204,81g/dia), da EB (4910,41kcal/dia), da ED (3436,21kcal/dia) e da PB (130,90g/dia). Para o capim-elefante colhido aos 56 dias, ainda foram observados os maiores valores de digestibilidade da MS (70,64%), da EB (70,11%), da PB (68,96%), da FDN (71,4%) e do conteúdo ED (2,86Mcal/kg MS). Com o avanço da idade de corte, houve redução da degradabilidade potencial da MS (77,99% x 68,33%), da PB (84,80% x 56,52%) e da FDN (72,18% x 64,33%), para as idades de corte de 56 e 112 dias, respectivamente. O capim cortado aos 56 dias apresentou maior valor de produção cumulativa de gases (210,50mL/g de MS) e de degradabilidade da matéria seca (63,9%) após 96 horas de fermentação. O capim-elefante verde deve ser colhido aos 56 dias de rebrota em razão das características nutricionais apresentadas.

ABSTRACT The nutritional value of fresh elephant grass harvested at 56, 84 and 112 days of age was evaluated by intake and digestibility in sheep, in situ degradability, and ruminal fermentation’s kinetics. The elephant grass harvested at 56 days provided higher DM intake (1204.81g/day), GE (4910.41kcal/day), DE (3436.21kcal/day), and CP (130.90g/day) values. Furthermore, the highest DM (70.64%), GE (70.11%), DE (2.86%) and CP (68.96%) digestibility values were observed at 56 days. With the increase in the harvest age there was a reduction in the DM (77.99 x 68.33%), CP (84.80 x 56.52%) and NDF (72.18 x 64.33%) potential degradability in the treatments 56 and 112 days, respectively. Higher values of cumulative gas production (210,50mL/g DM) and DM degradability for elephant grass were observed at 56 days, after 96 hours of fermentation. The fresh elephant grass should be harvested at 56 days of regrowth due to the nutritional characteristics found in this study.

RESUMO Objetivou-se neste estudo analisar biomarcadores histológicos e bioquímicos em brânquias de U. cordatus indicativos de impactos na Baía de São Marcos. Caranguejos foram coletados em quatro áreas na Baía de São Marcos: A1= Ilha dos Caranguejos (com baixo impacto); A2= Coqueiro, A3= Porto Grande, A4= Cajueiro (áreas potencialmente impactadas). Mediram-se os dados biométricos de cada exemplar de caranguejo. Amostras de brânquias foram submetidas à técnica histológica padrão e homogeneizadas em tampão fosfato, e o sobrenadante foi utilizado para análise das enzimas glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e catalase (CAT). A biometria indicou que os caranguejos de A1 são significativamente (P<0,05) maiores e mais pesados do que os caranguejos das áreas A2, A3 e A4. As alterações branquiais (rompimento das células pilastras, deformação do canal marginal, deslocamento da cutícula e necrose) foram significativamente (P˂0,05) mais frequentes em caranguejos de A2, A3 e A4 do que nos caranguejos de A1. As atividades enzimáticas da GST e CAT nos caranguejos apresentaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre as áreas de coletas, com padrão similar ao observado para as alterações branquiais. Os biomarcadores analisados mostraram que os caranguejos estão sob diferentes níveis de impactos (A4>A3>A2>A1) ao longo da Baía de São Marcos.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to analyze histological and biochemical biomarkers in U. cordatus gills indicative of impacts in São Marcos Bay. Crabs were collected from four areas in São Marcos Bay: A1=Ilha dos Caranguejos (with low impact); A2=Coqueiro, A3=Porto Grande, A4=Cajueiro (potentially impacted areas). The biometric data of each specimen was measured. Gill samples were submitted to standard histological technique and homogenized in phosphate buffer, and the supernatant was used for analysis of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity. Biometric data indicated that crabs found in A1 are significantly (P<0.05) larger and heavier than crabs found in A2, A3 and A4 areas. Gill alterations (rupture of pilaster cells, Dilation of the marginal channel, Cuticle Rupture and necrosis) were significantly (P˂0.05) more frequent in the crabs in A2, A3 and A4 than crabs in A1. The enzymatic activities of GST and CAT showed significant difference (P<0.05) between the sampling areas, similar to that observed for gill alterations. The biomarkers analyzed showed that the crabs are under different impact levels (A4> A3> A2> A1) along the São Marcos Bay.

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, fractionation of nitrogen compounds and carbohydrates, digestibility parameters, gas production kinetics and ruminal fermentation of fruit seed cakes. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three fruit seed cakes (treatments) and four replications. The cakes were made of seeds of custard apple (Annona squamosa), soursop (Annona muricata) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), which were collected in a biodiesel plant. The passion fruit seed cake presented the highest content of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre crude protein (NDFcp), acid detergent fibre (ADF), lignin and total carbohydrates (P<0.05). The custard apple seed cake presented high proportions of crude protein, condensed tannins and digestible energy (P<0.05). The soursop seed cake presented higher values for ether extract and total digestible nutrients (P<0.05). For potential degradability, the authors detected a difference between the custard apple, soursop and passion fruit seed cakes. The total volume of gases was higher for custard apple and soursop seed cakes. Custard apple seed cake presented higher proportions of in vitro degradation parameters (P<0.05). Thus this cake could provide greater nutrient levels when supplied in ruminant diets, followed by soursop seed cake and passion fruit seed cake.

Neurological diseases are responsible for approximately 6.8 million deaths every year. They affect up to 1 billion people worldwide and cause significant disability and reduced quality of life. In most neurological disorders, the diagnosis can be challenging; it frequently requires long-term investigation. Thus, the discovery of better diagnostic methods to help in the accurate and fast diagnosis of neurological disorders is crucial. Circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) are defined as any type of DNA or RNA that is present in body biofluids. They can be found within extracellular vesicles or as cell-free DNA and RNA. Currently, CNAs are being explored as potential biomarkers for diseases because they can be obtained using non-invasive methods and may reflect unique characteristics of the biological processes involved in several diseases. CNAs can be especially useful as biomarkers for conditions that involve organs or structures that are difficult to assess, such as the central nervous system. This review presents a critical assessment of the most current literature about the use of plasma and serum CNAs as biomarkers for several aspects of neurological disorders: defining a diagnosis, establishing a prognosis, and monitoring the disease progression and response to therapy. We explored the biological origin, types, and general mechanisms involved in the generation of CNAs in physiological and pathological processes, with specific attention to neurological disorders. In addition, we present some of the future applications of CNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for these diseases.

RESUMO A pelvimetria consiste na determinação métrica das dimensões pélvicas, e sua utilização está diretamente relacionada à reprodução. O momento de fechamento da cartilagem dos centros de ossificação varia de acordo com o osso, algumas fechando já na vida uterina e outras permanecendo presentes por vários anos. Objetivou-se avaliar, radiograficamente, os diâmetros pélvicos, mediante pelvimetria, durante os 24 primeiros meses de vida de pacas, o segundo maior roedor brasileiro e sobre o qual tem havido grande interesse científico, para a determinação aproximada da idade. Foram utilizadas 12 pacas, as quais foram radiografadas mensalmente a partir do nascimento até 24 meses de idade, com os animais anestesiados. As pacas são animais dolicopélvicos e com pelve apresentando forte tendência ao crescimento constante durante os 12 primeiros meses de vida, o que pode ser útil na determinação aproximada da idade em animais que não possuem data precisa de nascimento, por exemplo.

ABSTRACT The pelvimetry consists of the metric determination of the pelvis dimensions and its use is directly related to the reproduction. The cartilage closure time of the ossification centers varies according to the bone, some closing already in the uterine life and others remaining present for many years. The objective was to evaluate, radiographically, the pelvic diameters by pelvimetry during the first 24 months of life in pacas, the second lagest Brazilian rodent and an animal that has shown big recent scientific interest, aiming the estimated age determination. Twelve pacas were used, which were monthly radiographed up from birth until 24 months old, with the animals anesthetized. The pacas are dolicopelvic animals and with pelvis presenting strong tendency to constant growth along the 12 first months of age, fact that can be useful in the approximated animals’ age determination that do not have precise birth date, for example.

RESUMO Este trabalho se baseou na descrição morfológica da paca (Cuniculus paca), espécie selvagem pertencente à ordem dos roedores, típica de regiões tropicais, sendo o seu conhecimento anatômico detalhado muito importante para sua conservação, experimentação e comercialização, pois ainda são escassos na literatura os trabalhos sobre morfologia de espécies selvagens. Macroscopicamente, o pâncreas da paca é formado por lóbulos, organizados em ramificações difusas, e, microscopicamente, tal órgão possui uma camada de tecido conjuntivo frouxo, a partir da qual partem septos, que dividem a glândula em lóbulos, compostos de ácinos e ilhotas pancreáticas.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to describe the morphology of pacas (Cuniculus paca), a wild species belonging to the order Rodentia, found in tropical areas. The detailed anatomical knowledge of pacas is very important for conservation, experimental studies and commercialization because studies in literature about wild species are scarce. The pancreas of paca has lobes organized in diffuse branches at the macroscopic level and microscopically this organ has a loose connective tissue layer, originating septa that divide the gland into lobes composed of acini and pancreatic islets.

Thirty-two mixed-breed ram lambs (average age, 5.6 ± 0.4 months, and average live weight, 17.61 ± 2.63 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of diets containing silages of forages adapted to a semi-arid environment on the metabolic profile in serum and the histopathological assessment of liver and kidney tissues of the lambs. Lambs were allocated, in a completely randomised design, to four treatments (silage of old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia Lind), buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and 'pornunça' (Manihot sp.). The feedlot period was 49 days, and animals were slaughtered at an average weight of 27 ± 4.6 kg. On the last day of the experiment, blood was collected from the jugular vein of all animals to measure the protein, metabolic and energy profiles of the lambs. At slaughter, kidney and liver samples were collected for histopathological examination. The consuming of the diet containing buffelgrass silage resulted in a significantly higher activity of alanine-aminotransferase (30.14 IU/L) and the concentrations of urea (44.25 mg/dL), creatinine (0.94 mg/dL) and albumin (4.48 g/dL) in serum. Diets containing gliricidia silage resulted in significantly higher gamma-glutamyl transferase activity (92.0 IU/L), while the diets with pornunça silage resulted in higher serum levels of triglycerides (37.85 mg/dL). The diets had no effect on aspartate-aminotransferase enzyme activity and total protein, cholesterol and globulin concentrations, or the albumin : globulin ratio in serum. Mild congestion, necrosis and foci of mineralisation were observed in the kidneys of animals fed diets containing old man saltbush (50%) and pornunça (25%) silages, and mild fatty degeneration and mild mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in their livers. In conclusion, diets containing silages of forages that are adapted to semi-arid environments may be used for feeding lambs, given the absence of dysfunctioning plasmatic levels of liver enzymes and energy and protein profiles. Additionally, kidney failure was not observed in lambs fed these diets during the feedlot period.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing silages of forages that are adapted to the semi-arid environment on the characteristics of the carcass and of non-carcass components of 32 mixed-breed lambs at approximately six months old, with an average live weight of 17.61 ± 2.63 kg. Lambs were assigned to four treatments (diets containing silages of Atriplex nummularia Lind, Cenchrus ciliaris, Gliricidia sepium and Manihot sp.) in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. Animals fed the diet containing old man saltbush showed higher values for the intakes of dry matter (1.080 g/day), crude protein (190 g/day) and total digestible nutrients (740 g/day), body condition score (2.81 points), fatness (2.87 points), carcass conformation (3.19 points), live weight (29.1 kg), empty bodyweight (23.41 kg), weights of the commercial cuts neck, shoulder and ribs (0.46, 0.82 and 1.12 kg, respectively), and skin weight (1.972 kg). No differences were found between the diets for carcass dressing percentage, external and internal carcass lengths, leg length and circumference, rump circumference and width, chest width and depth, full bodyweight, empty bodyweight, cooling losses, pH before and after cooling, loin, and leg. Silages of old man saltbush, buffelgrass, gliricidia and pornunça are recommended for inclusion in lamb diets. Diets with old man saltbush silage provide the best results for characteristics of the carcass and of non-carcass components besides weight gain, which can reach up to 200 g/day depending on the formulation.

RESUMO O presente estudo objetivou estabelecer uma metodologia capaz de causar lesões de isquemia e reperfusão intestinal, realizando clipagem de um ramo de artéria marginal peri-intestinal extramural em segmento jejunal. Para tal foram utilizados 37 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia, machos, de 10 semanas de idade, alocados em seis grupos experimentais: grupo Sham, controle negativo, submetido apenas a celiotomia mediana; grupo I1H submetido à oclusão vascular por uma hora; grupo I2H submetido a oclusão vascular por duas horas; grupo I1H/R2H submetido a oclusão vascular por uma hora, seguida de reperfusão por duas horas; grupo I2H/R1H submetido a oclusão vascular por duas horas, seguida de reperfusão por uma hora e grupo I2H/R5H submetido a oclusão vascular por duas horas seguida de reperfusão por cincos horas. Os animais foram avaliados quanto o aspecto macroscópico (coloração e peristaltismo) do segmento jejunal e quanto ao aspecto histopatológico, verificando presença ou ausência de destruição de mucosa, edema, hemorragia, dilatação de vasos linfáticos e presença de polimorfonucleares. Observou-se que as lesões macroscópicas e histopatológicas se acentuaram nos maiores tempos de isquemia e reperfusão empregados. Os animais submetidos à isquemia durante duas horas, seguida de reperfusão por cinco horas (I2H/R5H) compuseram o grupo experimental de fácil reprodução e foram os que apresentaram uma lesão intestinal moderada, diferentes dos demais grupos.

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to establish a methodology capable to cause intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injuries, to perform clamping of the jejunal segment of the extramural peri-intestinal marginal artery branch. For this, 37, 10-week-old male New Zealand breed rabbits were used. One rabbit was used to establish the anatomic references for the procedure and was not part of the six experimental groups; the rest were allocated into six experimental groups: Sham group, negative control, subjected only to midline celiotomy; group I1H undergoing vascular occlusion for an hour; group I2H submitted to vascular occlusion for two hours; group I1H/R2H undergoing vascular occlusion for one hour followed by two hours of reperfusion; group I2H/R1H undergoing vascular occlusion for two hours, followed by reperfusion for one hour, and group I2H/R5H undergoing vascular occlusion for two hours followed by reperfusion for five hours. The rabbits were evaluated for the macroscopic aspects (color and peristalsis) of the jejunal segment, as well as the histological aspect, checking for presence or absence of mucosal destruction, edema, hemorrhaging, lymphatic vessel dilatation, and the presence of polymorphonuclear cells. It was observed that the macroscopic and histopathological lesions accentuated in larger employed ischemia and reperfusion times. Rabbits subjected to ischemia for two hours followed by reperfusion for five hours (I2H/R5H) made up the experimental group which was easily reproducible and showed moderate intestinal injury, different from the other groups.

RESUMO: Bactérias do gênero Aeromonas são patógenos altamente disseminados no ambiente aquático, responsáveis por grandes perdas econômicas na piscicultura de diversos países. São micro-organismos oportunistas e sua patogenicidade está ligada a alguns fatores de virulência, como a formação de biofilme. O estresse salino é um dos fatores que favorecem a formação dessas colônias e, consequentemente, o aumento de infecções. Essas infecções quando estão associadas ao biofilme são ainda mais resistentes aos antimicrobianos. Nesse contexto, o polipirrol destaca-se como uma alternativa antimicrobiana por possuir vários atributos terapêuticos e não apresentar toxicidade aos organismos. Dessa forma, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o perfil de susceptibilidade e a capacidade de formação de biofilme dos isolados de Aeromonas spp. associados aos diferentes níveis de salinidade e polipirrol. Determinou-se a atividade antibacteriana dos isolados e ensaios de motilidade foram realizados com bactérias que carreavam o gene fla. Também verificou-se a capacidade do cloreto de sódio e polipirrol em interferir na formação do biofilme. Os resultados foram evidenciados com a microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As concentrações de 2 e 3% de NaCl inibiram a motilidade bacteriana. Na formação do biofilme, 83% dos isolados bacterianos induziram a produção na concentração de 0,25%. O polipirrol causou a morte de todos os isolados testados na concentração de 125μg/mL. Além disso, esse composto diminuiu a motilidade bacteriana nas concentrações de 0,25 a 3%, sendo que em relação à produção de biofilme, não houve interferência. Esses resultados evidenciam que os diferentes níveis de NaCl influenciam na formação do biofilme favorecendo a persistência da infecção. Este estudo também realçou a potencialidade do polipirrol como agente bactericida, sendo uma alternativa eficaz às drogas antimicrobianas para o tratamento das infecções causadas por Aeromonas spp.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria of the genus Aeromonas are highly disseminated pathogens in the aquatic environment, responsible for great economic losses in the pisciculture of several countries. They are opportunistic microorganisms and their pathogenicity is linked to some virulence factors, such as biofilm formation. Saline stress is one of the factors that favor the formation of these colonies and, consequently, the increase of infections. These infections, when associated with biofilm, are even more resistant to antimicrobials. In this context, polypyrrole stands out as an antimicrobial alternative because it has several therapeutic attributes and does not present toxicity to organisms. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility profile and the biofilm formation capacity of Aeromonas spp. associated with different levels of salinity and polypyrrole. The antibacterial activity of the isolates was determined and motility assays were performed with bacteria bearing the fla gene. The ability of sodium chloride and polypyrrole to interfere with biofilm formation has also been demonstrated. The results were evidenced with scanning electron microscopy. Concentrations of 2 and 3% of NaCl inhibited bacterial motility. In the biofilm formation, 83% of the bacterial isolates induced production at the concentration of 0.25%. Polypyrrole caused the death of all the isolates tested at the concentration of 125μg/mL. In addition, this compound decreased bacterial motility at concentrations of 0.25 to 3%, and no biofilm was produced. These results show that the different levels of NaCl influence in the formation of the biofilm favoring the persistence of the infection. This study also highlighted the potential of polypyrrole as a bactericidal agent, being an effective alternative to antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infections caused by Aeromonas spp.

ABSTRACT Much of the Brazilian semiarid region faces a considerable process of degradation of natural resources, and ethnobotanical studies have collaborated with important information about the use and traditional knowledge, serving as a tool to design conservation strategies of native plant species. Thus, this study aimed to determine medicinal species meriting conservation priorities in a “Caatinga” area in the northeastern of Brazilian territory. The ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key subjects selected through the “snowball” technique. The availability and species conservation priority was verified by relative density, risk of collection, local use and use of diversity in the forest fragment sampled. It was recorded 42 native medicinal plants and conservation priority score was calculated for seven species, including Mimosa tenuiflora, Hymenaea courbaril, Ximenia americana and Amburana cearensis need immediate conservation and attention, since their collection does not occur in a sustainable way. In order to ensure the perpetuation of the species and the sustainability of traditional therapeutic practice there needs to be a development of conservation practices of caatinga remaining to better conserve the species of the biome.