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Phaseolus lunatus L. is a species with great diversity, which can be explored in breeding programs when adequately characterized. In this work, we evaluated the phenotypic variations of P. lunatus seeds by image analysis using seeds from 13 genotypes from three states: Sergipe (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, and G8), Bahia (G9 and G10) and Alagoas (G11, G12, and G13). For the analyses, the weight of 100 seeds was estimated, and, in the Groundeye (TBit®), the morphometry by area (mm²), maximum diameter (mm) and minimum diameter (mm), and the descriptors dominant color and RGB color system. The morphometric variables were submitted to variance analysis by the F test, and the means clustered by the Skott-Knott test at 5%. The data were submitted to Pearson correlation analysis (t-Student at 5%), grouped according to dissimilarity by the UPGMA, and represented in the dendrogram. The evaluated characters were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA). Concerning the dominant color, there was a predominance of orange in nine genotypes. As for the RGB color system, G1 presented the highest values and G11 the lowest. G7 was superior for morphometric variables, except for the weight of 100 seeds. There is a positive and significant association for morphometry. There are two homogeneous and distinct groups in the dendrogram, and the first two principal components were responsible for 86.80% of the genotypes' variation. Therefore, applying high-resolution images for phenotypic characteristics of creole bean seeds is a promising nondestructive tool aiming for selection.

The Covid-19 pandemic is related to increased alcohol consumption and smoking. These behaviors may be related to several sociodemographic, behavioral and mental health factors. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the association between alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking with sociodemographic, behavioral and mental health characteristics. This study used data from two population-based studies conducted in two cities from Southern Brazil amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Individuals aged 18 years or older were included and selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Alcohol consumption and smoking and changes in such consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic were evaluated. Sociodemographic, behavioral, pandemic-related, and mental health variables were also included. A hierarchical model was used to conduct the adjusted analyses, and Poisson regression with robust adjustment was used for variance. A total of 2170 individuals were studied. The prevalence of alcohol consumption and smoking were 9.3% and 14.2%, respectively. The rates of increase in alcohol consumption and smoking during the Covid-pandemic were about 20% and 30%, respectively. They were higher among those with depressive symptoms, feeling of sadness and self-reported stress. Those with poor diet quality had higher prevalence of alcohol consumption (PR: 1.82) and were 1.58 times more likely to smoke. The findings may help stakeholders in health and political systems to better understand the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and develop strategies to mitigate these consequences in Brazil and elsewhere.

Diabetes mellitus, which is characterized by hyperglycemia, leads to poor wound healing. Azadirachta indica has antidiabetic properties and further promotes the healing of epidermal wounds. Here, we investigated the effects of topical application of A. indica extract on excisional lesions in hyperglycemic rats. The animals were divided into four groups (n=15): non-hyperglycemic and treated with carbopol gel (NH), non-hyperglycemic and treated with A. indica + carbopol gel (NHT), hyperglycemic and treated with carbopol gel (H), and hyperglycemic and treated with A. indica + carbopol gel (HT). Lesions were made on the animals’ back, with a punch of 1.5-cm diameter. Samples of the skin/lesion were collected on the 2nd, 7th, and 14th days post-injury for histological examination (inflammatory infiltrate, blood vessels, and fibroblasts), biochemical analysis (MPO [myeloperoxidase], neutrophilic infiltrate and NAG [N-acetylglycosaminidase], and macrophagic infiltrate), oxidative stress (oxidants such as NO [nitric oxide] and DCF [2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate], oxidative damage by carbonyl sulfhydryl radicals, and antioxidants such as SOD [superoxide dismutase] and GSH [glutathione]), and analysis of reepithelialization by assessing the wound healing rate. The topical application of A. indica extract in the excisional wounds of hyperglycemic rats accelerated wound healing through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, angiogenic, and fibrillogenic effects. Thus, these results show that A. indica extract has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for treating excisional wounds in hyperglycemic.

Light is both a source of energy and a developmental signal, and therefore has a major impact upon initial seedling growth. This is particularly the case for species where photosynthesis in the cotyledons makes a significant contribution to carbon balance. In addition to containing reserves of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates the cotyledons of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) maintain sufficient photosynthetic activity to counterbalance respiratory carbon loss. Based on the hypothesis that altered light regime would affect seedling photosynthesis and development, we investigated the impact of shading and darkness on the reserves present in different soybean seedling organs. Plants were grown until the VC/V1 stage under normal light conditions (500 µmol m−2 s−1, 12/12 h) before being divided into three groups; normal light, low light (50 µmol m−2 s−1, 12/12 h) and darkness. After 3 days plants were harvested at three time points over the course of a day/night cycle and seedling organs analysed separately. Low light and darkness led to partial etiolation and the consumption of carbohydrates and fatty acids in several organs. Effects on cotyledon reserve mobilisation were modest, as darkness and low light did not lead to decreased cotyledon mass. However, metabolism in the epicotyl was more strongly perturbed, with the accumulation of branched chain and aromatic amino acids together with sugars that may be required to drive organ elongation. Darkness also served to abolish diurnal alterations in starch and asparagine concentrations detected in control plants. Overall, the data reinforce the flexibility of seedling metabolism, revealing similarities to the responses of adult plants to carbon starvation .

Multidisciplinary care (MDC) has been the most recommended approach for symptom management in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but there is conflicting evidence about its effectiveness on survival and quality of life (QoL) of ALS patients. We conducted a systematic review to determine the effects of multidisciplinary care compared to general neurological care in survival and quality of life of ALS patients. A comprehensive literature search using Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, PEDro, and Science Direct was undertaken. Studies related to multidisciplinary care or general neurological care in ALS patients that assessed survival and quality of life and were published in the period up to and including January 2020 were included. A total of 1192 studies were initially identified, but only 6 were included. All studies that investigated survival showed and advantage of MDC over NC, and this benefit was even greater for bulbar onset patients. A meta-analysis was performed and showed a mean difference of 141.67 (CI 95%, 61.48 to 221.86), indicating that patients who received MDC had longer survival than those who underwent NC (p = 0.0005). Concerning QoL, only one study found better mental health scores related to QoL for patients under MDC. Multidisciplinary care is more effective than general neurology care at improving survival of patients with ALS, but only improves mental health outcomes related to quality of life of these patients.

This study designed a promising integrated model for production of fatty acids and aquaculture inputs using the microalgal biomass of Choricystis minor var. minor. Cultures under photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic nutritional modes were conducted in fed-batch and the lipids from the different biomasses were extracted and quantified. Then, the biomasses without lipids were used to feed the microcrustacean Daphnia similis. The results indicated the mixotrophic nutritional mode as the most suitable for the production of biomass (8.27 ± 0.70 g L−1) and lipids (32.02 ± 0.11%). In contrast, biomass from the heterotrophic nutritional mode was the most promising for feeding D. similis after lipid extraction (2370 ± 372 Daphnia L−1). The integrated chain developed for biodiesel and aquatic feed is a promising alternative to produce energy with ultra-low environmental impact.

Microalgae biomass is considered one of the most promising raw materials for the development of high commercial value products, mainly because they are potential sources of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and vitamins. In this way, the optimization of culture medium of these microorganisms can help to reduce production costs, making final products more accessible. In this sense, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of different trace metal concentrations on growth and biochemical composition of Scenedesmus obliquus. Cultures of S. obliquus were performed using the LCA-AD medium (pH 7.6), in 2-L cylindrical borosilicate glass flasks that were constantly stirred by bubbling 0.7% CO2 enriched air (v/v), irradiance ranging from 520 to 1200 μmols m−2 s−1, and temperature at 22 ± 1 °C. Four trace metal concentrations were tested: control (standard concentration used on Bold’s Basal Medium), ten (10−1), hundred (10−2), and thousand (10−3) times less than control. The trace metal concentration did not significantly affect the growth of S. obliquus – all treatments have reached about 4.2 g L−1 on the tenth day of cultivation. As well for growth performance, no significant differences were observed among the treatments for biomass composition percentages. The dry S. obliquus biomass was mainly composed of carbohydrates (about 65%), crude protein (about 20%), and finally lipids (about 12%). These findings suggest that up to 1000-fold reduction in trace metal concentration does not affect the growth and biochemical composition of the green microalga S. obliquus.

Plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase, EC 3.6.1.3.) is a proton pump that is necessary to promote cell growth and ion fluxes across the plasma membrane. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the role of PM H+-ATPase isoform OsA7 expression in rice growth and nitrogen (N) accumulation using three genetically engineered lineages with artificial micro RNA (amiRNA) targeting OsA7 (osa7.1, osa7.2, and osa7.3). PM H+-ATPase isoform expression in rice shoots and roots (wild-type) revealed that OsA7 is highly expressed in roots and is the most highly expressed PM H+-ATPase isoform. The three osa7 lineages had lower fresh weight, grain yield, height, and 1000-grain weight compared to control IRS plants. The hydroponic experiment comprised three NO3− levels over 30 days: 0.2 mM NO3−–N, 2.0 mM NO3−–N, and NO3− starvation for 3 days. The three osa7 lineages had lower PM H+-ATPase and V-H+-PPase activity as compared to the IRS plants. The root and shoot fresh weights were lower in osa7 lineages. The root/shoot ratio was lower in the osa7 lineages cultivated without nitrogen for 3 days and with 0.2 mM of NO3−–N as compared to IRS, and did not change in plants cultivated with 2.0 mM NO3−–N. The total N concentration did not change in the three osa7 lineages as compared to IRS. Overall, the results indicate that OsA7 is important for rice growth, grain production, and root growth, but does not affect N accumulation, highlighting the importance of other PM H+-ATPase isoforms in N uptake.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:49:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-12-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação Araucária The antioxidants used in the food industry are essential to inhibit the formation of free radicals, preserving the existing properties in the different matrices. However, the insecurity of the synthetic antioxidants regarding human health propels search for natural substrates with potential antioxidant activity as an alternative to synthetic compounds. In this way, the work had as objective obtaining extracts from the seed pomace of the Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree), relating the contents of flavonoids and total phenols in the application as an antioxidant. The methodology consisted of the extraction using four solvents, varying extractive methods, time, and seed concentrations. The antioxidant activity in vitro was evaluated by capturing the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazil) radical. The optimized results demonstrate that the aqueous extracts produced in the Soxhlet in the concentrations of 85 g L−1 and retention time of 4 h reached 37.73 ± 1.69% in the antioxidant tests of the free radical DPPH capture, 1405.15 mg EAC 100 g−1 in the quantification of phenolic compounds and 223.34 mg 100 g−1 of total flavonoids. Thus, this work may contribute to the realization of studies and future research for characterization and identification concerning which phenolic compounds and flavonoids attribute the antioxidant characteristic to the extracts produced, enabling the discovery of products with high added value in the production chain. In addition, because the water used as a solvent showed greater antioxidant potential between the extracts, the non-toxic and environmentally friendly character is highlighted, allowing a wide variety of applications in the food industry. Chemistry Department Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Paraná Chemistry Department Federal University of Paraná, Paraná Graduate Program in Environmental Science São Paulo State University, São Paulo Chemistry Department State University of the Midwest, Paraná Graduate Program in Environmental Science São Paulo State University, São Paulo

Antifouling paint particles (APPs) originate from vessel maintenance and cleaning activities and their potentially toxic components are found at high concentrations in nearby soils, yet no studies have investigated their toxicity to soil organisms. We investigated the effects of exposure to soils containing APPs on the mortality, biomass, and reproductive performance of the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Earthworms were exposed to contaminated soil from a boatyard and non-contaminated soils treated with different concentrations of APPs (0.01, 0.14 and 1.50%, w/w) for 56 days. An ecological risk assessment using a Hazard Quotient (HQ) was also carried out. Exposure to contaminated soils reduced worm survival, biomass, and reproductive performance and these effects were concentration-dependent. The HQ was high in soil samples with APPs in both acute and chronic tests, and copper contributed the most to the HQ. Copper, zinc, and lead had the highest concentrations and exceeded the Brazilian legal limits. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed and showed that biomass and number of juveniles parameters was associated with the metals Cu, Sn and Zn, while the mortality parameter had no association with any analyzed metal. These findings highlighted that the synergistic effects of compounds present in the APPs, such as the booster biocides DCOIT, and metal mixtures should not be overlooked. We conclude that soils contaminated with APPs are toxic to earthworms. This reveals that the ecological impact of APPs goes beyond effects on aquatic environments, compromising key organisms of edaphic ecological processes.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T12:33:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-12-01 Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado Rio Grande do Sul Due to the undeniable importance of the role that cyanobacteria play in different ecosystems, and the new discoveries and periodic changes in their taxonomic classification, the main objective of this research was a taxonomic update of the cyanobacteria recorded in an artificial, subtropical freshwater water body. This work also aimed at the knowledge of the geographic distribution and frequency of the species throughout the study period. The analyzed pond (called Basin 7) is located in an environmental preservation area called Braskem Environmental Station (29 degrees 5157.3S and 51 degrees 2154.7W), which is part of the green belt that surrounds the set of companies of the Southern Petrochemical Complex of Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil). The studied samples were taken from May 2000 to December 2015, using a plankton net (30 mu m), and floating thallus of cyanobacteria were collected directly by hand. Thirty-three species were identified and distributed in the orders Oscillatoriales (14), Synechococcales (12), Chroococcales (6) and Spirulinales (1). Phormidium Kutzing ex Gomont presented the highest species richness, with five species identified, and P. tergestinum (Kutzing) Anagnostidis & Komarek was the one with the highest frequency of occurrence (81.3%). Among the identified species, seven are especially important for being potentially toxic. Eucapsis pseudalpina Komarek & Hindak also stood out for its first recorded occurrence in Brazil, and Ancylothrix rivularis Martins & Branco, Arthrospira jenneri Stizenberger ex Gomont and Pannus cf. brasiliensis Malone et al. for their first recorded occurrence in Rio Grande do Sul state. For each species, diagnoses, basionyms and synonyms when appropriate, illustrations and comments are presented. Fundacao Zoobot Rio Grande do Sul, Museu Ciencias Nat, Rua Dr Salvador Franca 1427, BR-90690000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias Letras & Exatas, Dept Zool & Bot, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias Letras & Exatas, Dept Zool & Bot, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado Rio Grande do Sul: 0435-2551/15-4

In this study, semi-arid environments were tested to see if they support insect diversity. This was evaluated through the structure of the composition of assemblies of drosophilids in three conservation units placed in three different ecoregions in the dryland forests, Caatinga. This is a unique biome in northeast Brazil, comprising approximately 10% of the country. Species richness was investigated over 2 years during a prolonged drought, considered the worst affliction the Caatinga ecosystem had experienced in the last 50 years. Alpha diversity indices and the ecological similarity between the samples were calculated to determine how the environments drive the composition of Drosophilidae in such semi-arid places. A total of 7352 specimens were sampled. They were classified into 20 species belonging to four genera: Drosophila, Rhinoleucophenga, Scaptodrosophila, and Zaprionus. Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant (44.5%) and Drosophila cardini Sturtevant (12.5%) were the most abundant species. The occurrences and abundances of all the species differed greatly between sites. These results and other ecological analyses indicate that although placed in the same biome, there are great variability in the drosophilid species and abundance among the three protected and conserved dryland environments.

The inhalation injury is usually initiated by uninhibited absorption of smoke, favoring the release of cytokines and other lipid mediators from inflammatory cells in lung airways and parenchyma.To systematically review, examine, and synthesize the main inflammatory mediators analyzed in published studies in animals subjected to smoke inhalation, as well as oxidative stress.A comprehensive literature search was conducted through MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus.Studies with animals subjected to lung damage from smoke inhalation that evaluated the presence and the action of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress.A total of 1332 studies were initially identified, with only 31 meeting the inclusion criteria. The inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress markers studied and presented in the articles described herein were varied; however, the most cited ones were tumor necrosis factor-alpha (6), IL-8 and IL-6 (both studied in five articles), IL-1β and nuclear factor kappa β (both studied in 4 articles), malondialdehyde (11 studies), and myeloperoxidase (7). It is worth noting that most studies evaluated more than one inflammatory mediator and oxidative stress marker.Based on this review, we could observe that the main inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress markers analyzed were TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, IL-1β, nuclear factor kappa β, MDA, and MPO. However, it is necessary to increase the rigor of study design and data, in order to have studies that are more homogeneous and with appropriate methodological quality.

The high-altitude wet forests of northeastern Brazil, locally known as "Brejos de Altitude," are enclaves of the Atlantic Forest situated above 500 m, surrounded by dryland vegetation, the Caatinga. The aim of this study was to characterize drosophilid communities in these upland forests, since few ecological studies on drosophilid communities have been conducted in northeastern Brazil. Four sites were investigated in three different times of the year throughout standardized traps. The results reveal the presence of 55 different species in a total of 13,064 specimens collected. The data were evaluated using ecological diversity measurements and compared with those obtained for other environments in the same geographic region. As for species composition, the Bonito upland forest, in a boundary forest location, stood out as having high species richness.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of motion sickness in schoolchildren and related the finding to the postural balance and quality of life. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 831 children aged 7 to 12 years. The frequency of motion sickness was evaluated based on the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire-Short (MSSQ-short). Postural balance was assessed using the Romberg test under different sensory conditions. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory was used in order to assess the quality of life. The statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney, and Spearman correlation tests. The prevalence of motion sickness was 43.4 % in car, 43.2 % on bus, 11.7 % on park swing, and 11.6 % on Ferris wheel. Mean unadjusted scores on the MSSQ-short ranged from 5.0 (SE = 0.5) for 10-year-olds to 6.8 (SE = 0.5) for 9-year-olds. The most prevalent symptoms following the balance tests were dizziness (89.2 %), vertigo (54.9 %), headache (10.6 %), and nausea (8.2 %). Significant correlations were found between the MSSQ-short score and all postural balance tests. Significant correlations were found between the MSSQ and modified DHI (Dizziness Handicap Inventory) at all ages. Conclusion: The prevalence of motion sickness in schoolchildren is greater when in a car or on a bus. An association was found between motion sickness and postural balance tests and motion sickness and quality of life.