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INTRODUCTION: The multiprofessional residency in health (MRH) is in its initial stage situated in the long history of the Brazilian and worldwide health system. There are few published analytical data on the teaching environment as perceived by residents. Roff et al. developed a questionnaire to assess the educational environment known as the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), which is widely used in international literature. AIM: To analyse perceptions of the educational environment among residents in various undergraduate health courses at a university hospital in the Midwest Region of Brazil using the DREEM. METHODS: The DREEM was administered to MRH students in a postgraduate health course consisting of 2 years of in-service training at a university hospital in Brazil in 2017. The results were analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS 24.0). RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for all the items in this study was 0.76, which indicates good internal consistency. The average (95% CI) total DREEM score was 85.23 (ranging from 79.2 to 91.26), which suggests problems in the educational environment as perceived by health residents and a more negative than positive environment. CONCLUSIONS: Several problem areas were identified in all domains of the educational environment that was assessed.

Micro/mesoporous catalysts of ZSM-35/MCM-41 type were developed by mechanical synthesis method with the objective to use on the catalytic pyrolysis of PVC. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption at 77 K. The obtained results of XRD showed at low and high angles that catalysts present two phases of MCM-41 and ZSM-35, respectively. Textural characterization of the synthesized porous solids showed MCM-41 an adsorption isotherm type IV and to ZSM-35 an isotherm type I according to IUPAC. MCM-41 Synthesized MCM-41 presents H1-type hysteresis and ZSM-35 presents H4-type hysteresis. When the ratio of MCM-41 decreases in the micro/mesoporous catalyst, the H1 hysteresis curve (pure MCM-41) tends to approach the H4 curve (pure ZSM-35). The greater the proportion of ZSM-35 in the catalytic composition, the smaller the amount of N2 adsorbed, due to ZSM-35 microporous structure. Pyrolysis tests showed that the thermal and catalytic decomposition of PVC occurs in two complex stages of reaction and that the heating rate, the presence and the composition of the catalyst influence the pyrolysis process. Under the conditions studied, the 75ZSM-35/25MCM-41 catalyst exhibits the larger decrease in the total decomposition temperature of PVC.

Several hypotheses have been used to explain diversification in the Neotropics. Integrating evolution with ecology extends the scope of testing the frameworks of these hypotheses. We test diversification hypotheses by integrating phylogeography and ecological niche models (ENMs) using the rodent Hylaeamys megacephalus (Azara’s broad-headed oryzomys or large headed rice rat) of the Amazon and dry forests, as a model. We estimated divergence times, ancestral areas, diversification events, historical demography, haplotype sharing, and genetic distances based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. We generated ENMs and tested for niche divergence between lineages; integrated genetic data to predict gene flow corridors; and projected paleodistributions for comparison with historical demography. We found high structuring in northern Amazonia on the left bank of the Amazon River, and less structure but secondary contact in southern Amazonia and dry forests. The Northern Amazonian lineage diverged from the other lineages through dispersal followed by vicariance due to the Amazon River about 1.35 Mya, while the Southern Amazonian and Cerrado lineages diverged through dispersal about 0.78 Mya. Paleodistribution models revealed expansions of dry forest lineages consistent with the Refugia Hypothesis, but not retraction for the humid forest lineage, which were not congruent with historical demography data. Niche divergence was not supported for the Northern Amazonian lineage, whereas habitat corridors linking current lineages suggest environmental continuity to their distributions that is concordant with a riverine barrier. In contrast, niche divergence was supported between the Southern Amazonian and Cerrado lineages, indicating that isolation followed by ecological divergence likely acted on this diversification. The recent Amazon River barrier and ecological differentiation observed here will surely provide insight for future studies and hypotheses of biodiversity diversification in the Neotropics. Studies that integrate evolution and ecology promise to disentangle alternative hypotheses and shed light on the biogeography of this megadiverse region.

To investigate the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the crude extract of Cariniana domestica fruit peels (CdE), its dichloromethane, n-butanol, and ethyl acetate (EtAc) fractions, and steroids (β-sitosterol, lupeol, and stigmasterol) isolated from the EtAc fraction in models of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) croton oil-induced in mice. We induced skin inflammation by single (acute; 1 mg/ear) and multiple (chronic; 0.4 mg/ear) croton oil application. We topically applied C. domestica (CdE, fractions, and gel formulations) and β-sitosterol, lupeol, and stigmasterol immediately after applying croton oil. HPLC-DAD chromatography of the EtAc fraction and stability of the gel formulations were verified. HPLC-DAD of the EtAc fraction revealed the stigmasterol, lupeol, and β-sitosterol presence. CdE and EtAc fraction gels showed no organoleptic or pH changes at room temperatures. CdE and dichloromethane, n-butanol, and EtAc (1 mg/ear) fractions decreased the acute ear edema with maximum inhibition (Imax) of 97 ± 2, 86 ± 1, 81 ± 4, and 95 ± 2%, respectively. CdE and EtAc fraction gel presented similar effects, with respective Imax of 85 ± 6% (3%;15 mg/ear) and 82 ± 2% (1%;15 mg/ear). β-sitosterol (7.5 μg/ear), lupeol (10 μg/ear), and stigmasterol (5.7 μg/ear) also reduced this parameter by 46 ± 8, 51 ± 7, and 62 ± 7%, respectively. All topical treatments reduced the inflammatory cells’ infiltration in the acute ICD model. CdE reduced the ear edema by 77 ± 4% (1 mg/ear) and the inflammatory cell infiltration in the chronic ICD model. CdE’s anti-inflammatory effect was accompanied by a minimum development of adverse effects. C. domestica demonstrates a promising potential for the development of a topical anti-inflammatory agent.

Polystyrene is a thermoplastic that is widely used in industry to manufacture of various materials. In this work, the objective was to investigate the effect of the Crystal Violet (CV) dye on polystyrene films under visible light. The films were produced by the casting method. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and viscosimetry were used to monitor the effect of radiation and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) was employed to evaluate the interaction between the polymer and the dye. Carbonyl Index confirmed that oxygenated species were formed during exposure to light and photo-oxidation is the major mechanism involved in CV-sensitized PS degradation. The variations in relaxation times indicated that electrostatic attraction is the main form of interaction between the materials involved and molecular dynamics calculations confirm the 1H-NMR results. The CV dye could initiate degradation reactions and acted as an efficient photosensitizer in PS matrices.

Environmental concerns on any anthropogenic activity are often systematized in impact assessments. Addressing the environmental impacts of traditional charcoal production is challenging regardless of context and volume produced. Most environmental assessments consider a few aspects when approaching production sustainability, mostly deforestation, forest clearance, and qualitative assessment of pollutant emissions. Charcoal production is more than the linear relation between forest, wood, and charcoal. There are more biophysics and socioeconomic aspects that should be considered when assessing charcoal’s environmental impacts and sustainability. Traditional production in brick beehive kilns is the most common situation in southern Brazil, where, in contrast to the Northern and Central Region of the country, production is aimed for the increasing demand of the domestic market, specifically for barbecue. This paper aims to discuss the impacts of charcoal making under traditional practices in a small-scale production context in southern Brazil, establishing a pertinent and significant environmental assessment which ensembles the vast complexity of production. The study was guided by the principles of qualitative and quantitative research, with exploratory and descriptive nature. The global environmental impact value was used to establish an aggregate impact value. Results suggest that under small-scale traditional practices, charcoal production aggregated impact may be neutral, with the economic dimension noticeably as the most positive impact valued and the health dimension as the most negative one. Results refute the general forejudgement of charcoal as a primary source of deforestation, forest degradation, and root GHG’s emissions. Results reinforces the urgency to adopt adequate policy to assure sustainability effectiveness. Traditional charcoal’s production may then support the livelihood of traditional small-scale farmers as well as the accomplishment of the sustainable development goals in developing countries.

The creation of National Parks challenges institutions, technicians and actors involved in the processes of management and protection of natural resources, due to numerous conflicts experienced by local population. The extensiveness of nine municipalities in the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park (PEST—acronym in portuguese) within the limits of the Park, along with the development of cities, displays many interests and land conflicts in the Park. This situation forced, in 2009, governmental parties to establish a new demarcation process, aiming the removal of conflict areas and creation of new categories of protected areas. In this context, this paper aims to report the PEST history, collecting environmental characteristics and land use owned by the environmental protection area of surrounding coastal of the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park, in the northeastern portion of the Baixada Massiambu, the locations of the Pinheira and Guarda do Embau beaches, in city of Palhoca/SC, Brazil. On this regard, a literature research was performed, referring to the uses of the area under study, as well as the legal and territory definitions; then, field visits were performed from March 2012 to March 2014, and finally, data collected were aggregated using geographic information systems, along with data regarding the ecological and legal characteristics of the area. Results displayed 6501 plots of land on the Pinheira and Guarda do Embau beaches, and of these, 77% had no environmental restrictions, 13% had partial restrictions, and 10% presented total restrictions. Thus, the PEST delimitation demonstrated great ecological significance for human settlement, especially in some detached areas, which should be kept and preserved. This work makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of the Baixada Massiambu problem, mainly related to land use; protective measures and environmental recovery can be formulated in this region, taking into consideration aspects such as environmental planning and mechanisms of reorganization discussion for this territory.

This paper describes a rapid, accurate, and sensitive method for the determination of levodopa in a pharmaceutical sample using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a hybrid nanocomposite constituted of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets dispersed in a suspension of gold nanoparticles in carboxymethylcelullose (AuNP-CMC-xGnP/GCE). The nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and zeta potential. Electrochemical characterization of the proposed sensor by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that the nanocomposite used for the electrode modification facilitated electron transfer. Using square-wave voltammetry (SWV) under optimized conditions (0.50% (m/v) of AuNP-CMC-xGnP, 0.1 mol L−1 sulfuric acid, frequency 30 Hz, pulse amplitude 50 mV, and scan increment 6.0 mV), the calibration curve showed a linear range for levodopa from 5 to 50 μmol L−1, with a limit of detection of 0.5 μmol L−1. The sensor demonstrated good repeatability and electrode-to-electrode repeatability, with relative standard deviations of 2 and 4%, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to quantify levodopa in a pharmaceutical sample by SWV, showing good accuracy. Recoveries of 98 to 107% demonstrated that the method is suitable for practical applications. Therefore, the proposed sensor represents a useful tool for rapid and accurate determination of levodopa.

The genus Potos (Procyonidae) is currently recognized as a monotypic genus comprising the single species Potos flavus, the kinkajou. Kinkajous are widely distributed throughout forested habitats of tropical Central and South America, extending from eastern Brazil across central Bolivia, eastern Peru, northern Ecuador, Guianas, Suriname, Venezuela, Colombia, and then through Central America and into western Mexico. The taxonomic history of the species is complex, with seven or eight subspecies historically recognized to acknowledge the phenotypic variation among populations. In this study, the systematics and the evolutionary history of Potos flavus were investigated based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, including specimens from a large range of localities, covering most of the distribution of the species, from central Middle America (Costa Rica and Panama) through South America (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana). Analyses of 30 Potos flavus sequences showed 27 haplotypes that were grouped in five main clades in all phylogenetic analyses. These clades suggested a high geographic structure with specimens from (1) Costa Rica, (2) Guianas and North Brazil, (3) North Peru, (4) Ecuador and Panama, (5a) interfluves Branco-Negro rivers in the Brazilian Amazon, (5b) Eastern Atlantic Forest, (5c) Amazonian lowlands east Negro river including Bolivia, Peru, and West Brazil. Each of these clades differs from 4.5 % to 9.3 % in their genetic distance estimates, which suggests that the specific status of some of these lineages should be reconsidered. Divergence dating and biogeographic analysis suggested that crown Potos diversified in the Miocene-Pliocene in South America, and geographic barriers, such as savannas and rivers, may have played a significant role in the kinkajou diversification.

The venom of the Brazilian armed spider Phoneutria nigriventer is a rich source of biologically active peptides that have potential as analgesic drugs. In this study, we investigated the analgesic and adverse effects of peptide 3-5 (Tx3-5), purified from P. nigriventer venom, in several mouse models of pain. Tx3-5 was administered by intrathecal injection to mice selected as models of postoperative (plantar incision), neuropathic (partial sciatic nerve ligation) and cancer-related pain (inoculation with melanoma cells) in animals that were either sensitive or tolerant to morphine. Intrathecal administration of Tx3-5 (3-300 fmol/site) in mice could either prevent or reverse postoperative nociception, with a 50 % inhibitory dose (ID50) of 16.6 (3.2-87.2) fmol/site and a maximum inhibition of 87 ± 10 % at a dose of 30 fmol/site. Its effect was prevented by the selective activator of L-type calcium channel Bay-K8644 (10 μg/site). Tx3-5 (30 fmol/site) also produced a partial antinociceptive effect in a neuropathic pain model (inhibition of 67 ± 10 %). Additionally, treatment with Tx3-5 (30 fmol/site) nearly abolished cancer-related nociception with similar efficacy in both morphine-sensitive and morphine-tolerant mice (96 ± 7 and 100 % inhibition, respectively). Notably, Tx3-5 did not produce visible adverse effects at doses that produced antinociception and presented a TD50 of 1125 (893-1418) fmol/site. Finally, Tx3-5 did not alter the normal mechanical or thermal sensitivity of the animals or cause immunogenicity. Our results suggest that Tx3-5 is a strong drug candidate for the treatment of painful conditions.

While most waste foundry sands (WFSs) are not hazardous, regulatory agencies are often reluctant to permit their beneficial use in agricultural and geotechnical applications due to concerns over metal leaching. The objective of this study was to quantify total and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) metals in 16 waste sands from Brazilian ferrous foundries then assess their potential to leach to groundwater using a probabilistic model. Total and TCLP metal concentrations in the non-hazardous sands fell within ranges as reported in the literature, although some of the leachate concentrations were found to exceed drinking water and groundwater maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Leachate values above the MCLs were then used in the model to estimate groundwater concentrations at hypothetical wells up to 400m downgradient from a land application unit. A conservative scenario of 1 ha of land applied WFS, and high annual rainfall totals (low evaporation) suggested that groundwater concentrations of Ba, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Pb could potentially exceed health-based MCLs at most wells. While a wet climate can exacerbate the transport of metals, land application of WFSs in areas with moderate rainfall totals or high rainfall, high evaporation was predicted to be protective of groundwater quality and human health.