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The present study evaluated the contamination by monoaromatic hydrocarbons (BTEX: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) of the subsurface of gas stations and adjacent residences in the Amazonian town of Bragança, in northern Brazil. We combined the ground penetrating radar (GPR) geophysical tool, to detect possible plumes of contamination by BTEX, with gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS), which were used to diagnose the presence of BTEX in water samples obtained from boreholes located within the study area. The GPR identified low-amplitude reflections in the vadose zone of two gas stations, whose attenuation near the surface was due to the low permittivity recorded in the radargrams, which may have been caused by the reduced permittivity of the hydrocarbons (gas vapor) in comparison with water. The GC–MS identified benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and/or xylene in 13 water samples (19.7% of the samples collected). Only three of the samples contained two contaminants, invariably toluene and xylene, whereas all the others contained only a single BTEX. Toluene and xylene were the BTEX compounds found most frequently in the samples. However, none of the samples collected in the study exceeded the threshold established by Brazilian legislation for BTEXs in drinking water. The integrated application of GPR and CG-MS produced satisfactory results for the diagnosis of the contamination of the subsurface of the gas stations surveyed in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazilian popular medicine, Lippia alba leaves are used in teas to treat pain and inflammatory diseases. to evaluate the chemical composition, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities of Lippia alba essential oil and its major compound geraniol. Lippia alba leaves were collected in Pará state, Brazil. The leaf essential oil was obtained using a modified Clevenger-type extractor. Then, the oil was analyzed by GC and GC-MS analyses. To evaluate the toxicity of LaEO and geraniol, the doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg were used in a mouse model. For antinociception tests, abdominal contortion, hot plate, and formalin tests were used; all groups were treated with LaEO and geraniol at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; and to evaluate inflammation using the ear edema model. The constituents identified in the highest content were oxygenated monoterpenes: geraniol (37.5%), geranial (6.7%) and neral (3.8%). The animals treated with LaEO and geraniol demonstrated atypical behaviors with aspects of lethargy and drowsiness, characteristics of animals in a state of sedation; the relative weights showed no significant difference compared to the controls. In the abdominal contortion test, LaEO at 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg doses, and 100 mg/kg reduced the number of contortions, representing a percentage reduction of 84.64%, 81.23%, and 66.21% respectively. In the hot plate test, LaEO and geraniol increased the latency time at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg in all test periods; there was no statistical difference between LaEO and geraniol. In the first phase of the formalin test, only doses of 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of LaEO showed significant activity, reducing the latency time by 53.40% and 58.90%. LaEO at doses of 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg reduced the size of the edema, demonstrating an anti-inflammatory activity of 59.38% (25 mg/kg) and 50% (100 mg/kg). Lippia alba essential oil and geraniol showed central/peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential and can be used as an alternative or complementary treatment to conventional drugs. More studies are needed to evaluate its action mechanisms and its analgesic effects. [Display omitted] • Lippia alba leaves are used in teas to treat pain and inflammatory diseases. • Its essential oil showed strong antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. • These activities are due to geraniol. • Sedative effects were also observed. • L. alba can be used as an alternative or complementary treatment to conventional drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine transgression events and plant species' evolution to terrestrial environments increased the amount of organic matter in sediments during the Devonian Period. Subsequently, a bituminous material known as shale was formed, containing organic compounds that enable the reconstruction of environmental conditions from previous eras. These rock formation events are recorded worldwide, however, in the Ponta Grossa Formation, southern Brazil, a deeper understanding of samples from the Devonian Period is necessary. The goal of this study was to understand the regional environmental conditions, the origin of the organic matter, and the degree of maturation of the bituminous material. Shale samples were collected from an outcrop on the eastern border of the Paraná Basin and processed in the laboratory to obtain the saturated hydrocarbons fraction posteriorly analyzed. The results indicate a poorly oxygenated environment, with various salinity levels, mixed organic sources, and a high thermal maturity of the samples. The analysis of compound hydrocarbons elucidates the environmental conditions during the Devonian Period in the Ponta Grossa Formation, providing inferences applicable to the stratigraphic interval represented by this record and within the domain of the sampled area. • Analysis of Devonian Period shales in the Ponta Grossa Formation in Brazil. • Biomarkers in rocks undergo chemical modification that indicates thermal evolution. • The results were obtained using Ts/(Ts + Tm) and Pr/Ph ratios and the gammaceran index. • The shales contain a mixture of terrestrial and aquatic organic matter. • The samples presented low oxygen concentration and varied salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of spilt oils from events that took place on the north-eastern coast of Brazil in 2019 and 2022 was investigated to better understand their sources, and post-spill processes. Oils from both events originated from different sources, based on their fingerprints, hydrocarbons composition and specific biomarkers, such as the C23 tricyclic terpane and oleanane. Despite the differences, the source rocks share similarities in paleoenvironments and depositional conditions and both oils suffered little weathering, mainly due to evaporation and dissolution. Our findings for 2019 spilt oil reinforce that it is a mixed product, enriched both in lighter n-alkanes and 25-norhopanes. Differently, the 2022 samples exhibited characteristics of a non-processed crude oil that originated from a paraffinic deposit in storage tanks. The molecular composition and diagnostic ratios reported for samples from these spill events help to establish baselines for ongoing monitoring of oil spills in marine ecosystems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The south of Brazil has a high production of peaches which generates the stone as residue. The recycling of biomass and plastic waste is a challenge that must be overcome. Therefore, co-pyrolysis emerges as a possibility for joint conversion of peach stone and plastic bags into value-added products. Thus, the objective is to obtain new products, emphasizing the organic fraction of the bio-oil obtained under the best experimental conditions, and to characterize it by GC-MS. The experiments provided a three-phase bio-oil: two organic phases with different densities and an aqueous phase. It was observed that the central point experiment (temperature at 500 °C and blend composition, % peach stone/polyethylene, 80/20) generated the highest yield of bio-oil. However, the experiment at the lowest temperature and with greater addition of plastic waste produced a higher organic fraction. Using gas chromatography, 161 chemical compounds were identified in the denser organic phase, emphasizing the phenols. In the lighter organic fraction, hydrocarbons were the majority among the 70 compounds identified. The results suggest that the interaction between biomass and polyethylene influences the characteristics of the products obtained, since polyethylene acts as dispersant and as hydrogen donor. Co-pyrolysis, in this research, proves to be efficient and viable, allowing the joint destination of those environmental liabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lagoa Mangueira (Magueira Lagoon) is a hydrological system with unique characteristics and extreme regional importance. Its water has been used for years, mainly in the production of irrigated rice in a practically closed recycling system. The fragility of this environment, the importance of its waters and the absence of data on the current impact justifies an assessment in relation to some geochemical markers. Hydrocarbons (HCs) in high concentrations in the environment are indicative of pollution. We studied the aliphatic content (AHs), unresolved complex mixture (UCM) and n-alkanes in the superficial sediments of Mangueira Lagoon, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Our aim was to assess the impact of hydrocarbons and characterize their sources. The methodology brought together were stages of pre-sonification, extraction by soxhlet and determination by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Diagnostic indexes were: Preferred odd/even carbon index (PCI), terrigenous/aquatic ratio (TAR), UCM/∑n-alkanes ratio and Low molecular weight hydrocarbon (LMW) n-alkane/High molecular weight (HMW) ratio, indicated HCs of petrogenic and biogenic origins (aquatic andterrigenous). The concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) (5.0 mg Kg−1 ± 6.7% to 652.7 mg Kg−1 ± 5.1%) and n-alkanes (0.6 mg Kg−1 to 10.2 mg Kg−1) indicate an environment, in general, slightly impacted, suggesting the west margin with greater collaboration for the entry of these geochemical markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the hydrocarbons (HCs) levels in sediments from Lagoa Mirim, situated in the south of Brazil, were verified. The methodology brought together stages of pre-sonification, soxhlet extraction, and determination by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Ten sample points were evaluated where ∑n-alkanes varied between 1.46 µg kg−1 ± 4.0% and 10.10 µg kg−1 ± 17.6%. Diagnostic indexes were calculated, being: Carbon Preferential Index (CPI), terrestrial/aquatic ratio (TAR), unresolved complex mixture (UCM), UCM/∑n-alkanes ratio, and n-alkane ratio with Low molecular weight hydrocarbon and High molecular weight hydrocarbons (HMW/LMW). In general, the results of this study indicate a low anthropogenic impact in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis, antiretroviral therapy options are limited due to drug-drug interactions with rifampicin. A previous phase 2 trial indicated that raltegravir 400 mg twice a day or efavirenz 600 mg once a day might have similar virological efficacy in patients given rifampicin. In this phase 3 trial, we assessed the non-inferiority of raltegravir to efavirenz.Methods: We did a multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, phase 3 trial at six sites in Côte d'Ivoire, Brazil, France, Mozambique, and Vietnam. We included antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive adults (aged ≥18 years) with confirmed HIV-1 infection and bacteriologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed tuberculosis who had initiated rifampicin-containing tuberculosis treatment within the past 8 weeks. Using computerised random numbers, we randomly assigned participants (1:1; stratified by country) to receive raltegravir 400 mg twice daily or efavirenz 600 mg once daily, both in combination with tenofovir and lamivudine. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with virological suppression at week 48 (defined as plasma HIV RNA concentration <50 copies per mL). The prespecified non-inferiority margin was 12%. The primary outcome was assessed in the intention-to-treat population, which included all randomly assigned patients (excluding two patients with HIV-2 infection and one patient with HIV-1 RNA concentration of <50 copies per mL at inclusion), and the on-treatment population, which included all patients in the intention-to-treat population who initiated treatment and were continuing allocated treatment at week 48, and patients who had discontinued allocated treatment due to death or virological failure. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of the assigned treatment regimen. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02273765.Findings: Between Sept 28, 2015, and Jan 5, 2018, 460 participants were randomly assigned to raltegravir (n=230) or efavirenz (n=230), of whom 457 patients (230 patients in the raltegravir group; 227 patients in the efavirenz group) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis and 410 (206 patients in the raltegravir group; 204 patients in the efavirenz group) in the on-treatment analysis. At baseline, the median CD4 count was 103 cells per μL and median plasma HIV RNA concentration was 5·5 log10 copies per mL (IQR 5·0-5·8). 310 (68%) of 457 participants had bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis. In the intention-to-treat population, at week 48, 140 (61%) of 230 participants in the raltegravir group and 150 (66%) of 227 patients in the efavirenz had achieved virological suppression (between-group difference -5·2% [95% CI -14·0 to 3·6]), thus raltegravir did not meet the predefined criterion for non-inferiority. The most frequent adverse events were HIV-associated non-AIDS illnesses (eight [3%] of 229 patients in the raltegravir group; 21 [9%] of 230 patients in the efavirenz group) and AIDS-defining illnesses (ten [4%] patients in the raltegravir group; 13 [6%] patients in the efavirenz group). 58 (25%) of 229 patients in raltegravir group and 66 (29%) of 230 patients in the efavirenz group had grade 3 or 4 adverse events. 26 (6%) of 457 patients died during follow-up: 14 in the efavirenz group and 12 in the raltegravir group.Interpretation: In patients with HIV given tuberculosis treatment, non-inferiority of raltegravir compared with efavirenz was not shown. Raltegravir was well tolerated and could be considered as an option, but only in selected patients.Funding: National French Agency for AIDS Research, Ministry of Health in Brazil, Merck.Translations: For the Portuguese and French translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of leishmaniasis is limited and has serious obstacles, such as variable activity, high toxicity, and costs. To overcome such limitations, it becomes urgent to characterize new bioactive molecules. Plants produce and accumulate different classes of bioactive compounds, and these molecules can be studied as a strategy to combat leishmaniasis. The study presented herein evaluated the leishmanicidal effect of maslinic acid isolated from the leaves of Hyptidendron canum (Lamiaceae) and investigated the morphological that occurred on Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum upon treatment. Maslinic acid was active and selective against promastigote and amastigote forms in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, it was not toxic to peritoneal macrophages isolated from golden hamsters, while miltefosine and amphotericin B showed mild toxicity for macrophages. Morphological changes in promastigotes of L. (L.) infantum treated with maslinic acid were related to cytoplasmic degeneration, intense exocytic activity, and blebbing in the kDNA; disruption of mitochondrial cristae was observed in some parasites. The nucleus of promastigote forms seems to be degraded and the chromatin fragmented, suggesting that maslinic acid triggers programmed cell death. These results indicate that maslinic acid may be an interesting molecule to develop new classes of drugs against leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load (VL) during pregnancy is a critical determinant of the risk of HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Prior studies suggest that VL suppression is influenced by antiretroviral regimen. In this study, using secondary real-life data from the Ministry of Health of Brazil, we compared VL suppression at 60-180 days after the first antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription during pregnancy and time to undetectable VL among pregnant women under treatment with double nucleoside/nucleotide regimens combined with efavirenz, boosted lopinavir, boosted atazanavir, or raltegravir, with adjustment for potential confounders in multivariable models. A total of 18,997 pregnant women living with HIV were included in the study. Compared to regimens containing lopinavir, we found that atazanavir-, efavirenz-, and raltegravir-based regimens were superior in achieving both outcomes after adjustment for age, social vulnerability index, time under ART, baseline CD4+ cell count, and baseline HIV VL. Raltegravir-containing regimens had the highest adjusted odds/rates of VL suppression compared to patients with other regimens. Elimination of HIV MTCT is still a critical public health issue in many countries. Our findings suggest that raltegravir-based regimens were superior when compared to efavirenz-, lopinavir-, and atazanavir-based antiretroviral regimens in achieving suppression of HIV VL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—Analysis more of 80 hydrocarbon fields, mainly oil-producing, in the deepwater part of the Santos, Campos and Espirito Santo basins reveal the tendency of these large fields to lie in a productive oil-pay belt extending in the sea depth from range from 400 to 2500 m (possibly 3000 m or more) in a system of external depressions stretching along the lower part of the continental slope. This belt may continued to the north. All the fields in this belt in reserves category are estimated as large and giant. In the last 10–15 years, exploration works have been conducted in this belt already in the presalt formation: in the Santos Basin, 29 fields; in the Campos Basin, 21; and in the Espirito Santo Basin 7. It is noteworthy that 48% of the total hydrocarbon production of the country formed in presalt carbonate deposits of the Aptian Formation on the continental slope, 44% postsalt rocks on the continental slope and shelf, and only 8% is attributed to the mainland. In the world, Brazil's deepwater presalt Aptian Formation (Barremian–Aptian in the Santos Basin) is essentially unique. In recent decades, giant hydrocarbon accumulations have been discovered, thereby doubling the country's oil and gas reserves to total reserves of more than 3 billion t and 4.7 trillion m3, respectively. The geology of the presalt formation is narrowly related to tectonic movements that took place during the breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent into the South American and African continents. This took place 150 Ma ago in the Early Cretaceous. The salt of the Aptian Formation is an excellent caprock, the presalt reservoirs are superior in their characteristics, the oil is light and sweet, and the source rocks are enriched in organic matter. The thickness of the Aptian salt is limited, varying from basin to basin; the main width of the salt is in the Santos Basin 400 km and the thickness is 2000 m; in the north, the thickness and width decrease; in the Sergipi Alagoas Basin, it already reaches 100 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eugenia uniflora leaf infusion is widely used in folk medicine to treat gastroenteritis, fever, hypertension, inflammatory and diuretic diseases. This work evaluated the acute oral toxic, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities of the curzerene chemotype of Eugenia uniflora essential oil (EuEO). EuEO was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antinociceptive action in mice was evaluated for the peripheral and central analgesic activity using abdominal contortion and hot plate tests (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg); xylene-induced ear swelling was carried out for the nociception test, and carrageenan-induced cell migration test. Spontaneous locomotor activity was assessed in the open field test to rule out any nonspecific sedative or muscle relaxant effects of EuEO. The EuEO displayed a yield of 2.6 ± 0.7%. The major compounds classes were oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (57.3 ± 0.2%), followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (16.4 ± 2.6). The chemical constituents with the highest concentrations were curzerene (33.4 ± 8.5%), caryophyllene oxide (7.6 ± 2.8%), β-elemene (6.5 ± 1.8%), and E -caryophyllene (4.1 ± 0.3%). Oral treatment with EuEO, at doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg, did not change the behavior patterns or mortality of the animals. EuEO (300 mg/kg) did not cause a reduction in the number of crossings in the open field compared to the vehicle group. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was higher in EuEO-treated groups (50 and 2000 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). EuEO, at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, reduced the number of abdominal writhings by 61.66%, 38.33%, and 33.33%. EuEO did not show increased hot plate test time latency in any of the intervals analyzed. At 200 mg/kg, EuEO decreased paw licking time, with inhibition of 63.43%. In formalin-induced acute pain, EuEO decreased paw licking time at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg in the first phase, with inhibition of 30.54%, 55.02%, and 80.87%. The groups treated with EuEO at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg showed ear edema reduction of 50.26%, 55.17%, and 51.31%, respectively. Moreover, EuEO inhibited leukocyte recruitment only at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The inhibitory values of leukocyte recruitment after 4 h of carrageenan application were 4.86%, 4.93%, and 47.25% for 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of essential oil, respectively. The EuEO, curzerene chemotype, has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities and low acute oral toxicity. This work confirms the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory of this species as the traditional use. [Display omitted] • Eugenia uniflora is the most studied species of Eugenia genus. • Its leaf infusion is widely used in folk medicine to treat gastroenteritis, fever, and inflammation. • The essential oil is rich in curzerene. • Its oil displayed anti-inflammatory effects with low acute toxicity. • The oil showed peripheral and central analgesic action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a filter-feeding organism that can be considered a sentinel species, and Bahía de los Ángeles (BLA) in the Gulf of California is an important sighting site for these elasmobranchs. This filter-feeding organism can be considered a pollutant sampler from the marine environment. Persistent organic pollutants are toxic compounds with high mobility and environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. Among these are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The present work aimed to determine concentrations of PAHs and OCPs in whale shark skin biopsies, collected in 2021 at BLA. Mean detected levels of PAHs and OCPs were 279.4 ng/g dw (dry weight) and 1478.1 ng/g dw, respectively. Analysis of similarities between the ordered sizes (4.2-7.6 m) and the concentrations of PAHs and OCPs indicated no significant differences. Individual PAHs detected indicate pyrogenic and petrogenic sources; the presence of pesticides at levels higher than those of hydrocarbons may be related to agricultural activity in the areas surrounding the Baja California peninsula. This study is the first report of PAH levels in R. typus for the Gulf of California and Mexico., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Coastal ecosystems are facing increasing anthropogenic stressors, including rapid urbanization rates and extensive fossil fuel usage. Nevertheless, the distribution of hydrocarbons in the Brazilian semi-arid region remains relatively uncharacterized. In this study, we analyzed ten surface sediment samples (0-2 cm) along the banks of the Acaraú River to assess the chronic contributions of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The Acaraú River is a crucial riverine-estuarine area in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. Ultrasound-assisted extraction and gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer were used to identify target compounds: 45 PAHs, 27 n-alkanes (C 10 -C 38 ), and two isoprenoids. At most stations, the predominant grain size was sand, and the organic carbon content was less than 1%. The total n-alkanes concentration ranged from 14.1 to 170.0 μg g - 1 , while individual pristane and phytane concentrations ranged from not detected (nd) to 0.4 μg g -1 and nd to 0.7 μg g -1 , leading to the characterization of sediment samples as moderately polluted. Based on diagnostic ratios calculated from both alkane and PAH concentrations, the sediment samples were predominantly deriving from pyrolytic sources, with some contribution from petrogenic sources. The most abundant group was 5-ring PAHs (mean: 47.3 ± 36.7%), followed by 3-ring PAHs (mean: 17.9 ± 13.7%). This predominance indicates a pyrolytic origin of hydrocarbons in the Acaraú River. The concentrations reported here were representative of the level of background hydrocarbons in the region. Regarding the sediment quality assessment, BaP TPE calculated for the Acaraú River ranged from 13.2 to 1258.4 ng g -1 , leading to the characterization of sediment samples as moderately polluted. Based on diagnostic ratios calculated from both alkane and PAH concentrations, the sediment samples were predominantly deriving from pyrolytic sources, with some contribution from petrogenic sources. The most abundant group was 5-ring PAHs (mean: 47.3 ± 36.7%), followed by 3-ring PAHs (mean: 17.9 ± 13.7%). This predominance indicates a pyrolytic origin of hydrocarbons in the Acaraú River. The concentrations reported here were representative of the level of background hydrocarbons in the region. Regarding the sediment quality assessment, BaP TPE calculated for the Acaraú River ranged from 13.2 to 1258.4 ng g -1 (mean: 409.3 ± 409.4 ng g -1 ). When considering site-specific sediment quality values for the coast of the state of Ceará, half of the stations are classified as strongly contaminated, and toxic effects are expected to occur (SQGq >0.25) for the ∑16 PAHs measured in the samples, especially due to dibenz [a,h]anthracene concentrations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Dental caries is a biofilm-diet-dependent worldwide public health problem, and approaches against microorganisms in cariogenic biofilms are necessary. Methods: The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of 12 Casearia sylvestris extracts (0.50 mg/mL) from different Brazilian biomes (Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Caatinga, Pampa, and Pantanal) and varieties (sylvestris, lingua, and intermediate) were tested against two species found in cariogenic biofilms (Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans). The extracts effective against S. mutans were used to evaluate the "adhesion strength" of this bacterium to the salivary pellicle and initial glucan matrix and the S. mutans-GtfB activity. Also, the antimicrobial activity against S. mutans of three fractions (methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane; 0.25 mg/mL) from the extracts was evaluated. Results: Three extracts from the Atlantic Forest variety sylvestris (FLO/SC, GUA/CE, PRE/SP) reduced ≥50% (> 3 logs) S. mutans viable population (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle), while two extracts from the same biome and variety (PAC/CE, PRE/SP) decreased ≥50% of the viable counts of C. albicans (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle). For S. mutans biofilms, three extracts (GUA/CE, PAC/CE, PRE/SP) reduced the biomass by ≥91% (p > 0.0001 vs. vehicle) and 100% of the microbial population (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle). However, for the fungal biofilm, two extracts (PAC/CE, PRE/SP) reduced the viable counts by ≥52% (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle), but none reduced biomass. The extracts with higher antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities presented higher content of clerodane-type diterpenes and lower content of glycosylated flavonoids than the less active extracts. The extracts had no effect on the removal of cells adhered to the pellicle (p > 0.05 vs. vehicle) while promoted the detachment of a larger number of S. mutans cells from GtfB-glucan matrix (p < 0.0031 vs. vehicle), and FLO/SC, GUA/CE and PRE/SP reduced the quantity of glucans (p < 0.0136 vs. vehicle). Only the ethyl acetate fractions reduced the microbial population of S. mutans (p < 0.0001 vs. vehicle), except for one (PAC/CE). Among the ethyl acetate fractions, three from var. lingua (two from Cerrado, and one from Cerrado/Caatinga) reduced ≥83% of the microbial population. Conclusions: C. sylvestris extracts from Atlantic Forest var. sylvestris and ethyl acetate fractions from Cerrado and Cerrado/Caatinga var. lingua may be used as a strategy against cariogenic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Castor plant (Ricinus communis) is a fast growing, perennial shrub also known as wonder tree from Euphorbiaceae family. India ranks globally first with production of 87% of the castor seed, while second and third largest producer countries, China and Brazil produced 5% and 1%, respectively. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is one of the most promising thermochemical conversion process used to convert wet/high moisture biomass to biofuels and value-added hydrocarbons. HTL of castor residue (stem and leaves) was performed at 260, 280, 300 °C and 15, 30, 60, 90 min. Investigations on the effect of temperature and residence time on distribution of products (bio-oil, bio-char) indicated the maximum Total Bio-oil (TBO) yield of c.a. 15.8 wt% was obtained at 300 °C at 60 min. The major compounds observed by GC-MS were phenols and their derivatives, aromatic hydrocarbons, N-containing compounds, acids. In addition, the recovery of carbon and corresponding energy recovery with respect to castor residue indicated that the carbon and energy recovery for bio-oil 1 were 24.23% and 31.08% respectively. An increase in the carbon and decrease of oxygen content in bio-oil (BO) demonstrates that the castor residue can be used as a potential feedstock for bioenergy applications. • First study to use castor residue as feedstock to produce biocrude using HTL. • Maximum bio-oil yield (15.8 wt%) was obtained at 300 °C at 60 min. • High percentage (40.53) of phenolic functional hydrocarbons observed in bio-oil 1. • Bio-oil 1 has recovered 24.23% carbon and 31.08% energy. • Bio-oil 2 has recovered 24.91% carbon and 35.79% energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown alga Sargassum furcatum and three families of amphipods (Ampithoidae, Caprellidae and Hyalidae) associated to that algae were evaluated as bioindicators of petroleum hydrocarbons input into the marine environment of São Sebastião Channel, in southeastern region of Brazil. The n-alkanes pattern were mainly associated with the natural composition of the macroalgae and amphipods, although some indicatives of petroleum hydrocarbons such as unresolved complex mixture and the no predominance of odd over even n-alkanes have been observed in some samples. Total PAHs ranged from 33.4 to 2010 ng g−1 dry weight with the predominance of low molecular weight PAHs, mostly of naphthalene and alkyl-naphthalenes, which also suggested petroleum input. Even in low concentration, Sargassum furcatum and amphipods species studied seems to be good indicators of the introduction of petroleum hydrocarbons. • Sargassum and amphipods seem to be good indicators of hydrocarbons contamination • The PAHs composition found in both organisms were indicative of petroleum inputs • Different families of amphipods bioaccumulate distinct amounts of hydrocarbons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in subtropical estuaries with distinct degrees of legal protection, located in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, São Paulo State, Brazil. A multivariate approach was adopted, using the Hierarchical cluster analysis followed by the Principal Matrix Factorization analysis to support the hydrocarbons sources findings using diagnostic ratios. In general, the sites with the highest values of hydrocarbons were in the vicinity of well-urbanized cities, where sewage discharge, harbor and industrial activities take place. Pyrolitic PAHs were the predominant source of PAHs in the sites. The region can be considered not highly contaminated by hydrocarbons; however, specific sites under local anthropogenic impact from sewage and/or urban drainage, presented relatively high hydrocarbons levels. These findings highlight the importance of sources identification as reliable approach to be included in the management plan of protected areas under the inputs of several vectors of contamination. [Display omitted] • Hydrocarbon's levels and toxicity data indicate risks in the studied marine areas. • Aliphatic hydrocarbons levels related to accumulation generated by hydrodynamic factors • High levels of aliphatic hydrocarbons related to sewage inputs in the winter season • Predominance of pyrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the sediments • Sources of contaminants are mainly in the vicinity of well-urbanized regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tijuca Forest, one of the largest urban forests in the world, is a protected area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The forest and the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro coexist and interact, but their mutual influence regarding air quality is still not well known and a more detailed study is needed. Here, air samples were collected inside the forest, in Tijuca National Park (TNP) and Grajaú State Park (GSP) and in two representative urban areas (Tijuca and Del Castilho Districts). Sampling was performed using stainless steel canisters, and ozone precursor hydrocarbons (HCs) were analyzed with the aid of heart-cutting multidimensional gas chromatography. The sampling points within the forest are currently visited by hundreds of people. Total HC concentrations within the green area were clearly lower than in the urbanized districts, in spite of the anthropogenic impact of visitors and the proximity of the urban area. Median values were 21.5, 35.5, 57.9 and 148.6 μg m -3 at TNP, GSP, Tijuca and Del Castilho, respectively. Total HC concentrations were Del Castilho > Tijuca > GSP > TNP. The kinetic reactivity and ozone-forming potential of individual HCs were evaluated, as well as the intrinsic reactivity of air masses. The air masses in the urbanized area showed a higher average reactivity in all scales. In fact, in spite of the forest's contribution to isoprene emissions, its net contribution to ozone formation was lower than that of urbanized air masses, owing to a reduction in HC concentration, particularly for alkenes and monoaromatic compounds. It is not clear if the forest plays a role in the adsorption of pollutants or if it acts as a physical natural barrier to air masses carrying pollutants. Nonetheless, improving air quality within Tijuca Forest is essential to the welfare of citizens., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Asphaltenes (isolated by preparative TLC) from Potiguar Basin (Brazil) crude oils were submitted to mild oxidation to disrupt their structure, releasing the occluded oil. The released hydrocarbons were compared with those from the original crude oil, in order to provide an additional insight regarding composition in biomarkers and depositional paleoenvironment. It was possible to suggest that the oil samples present low thermal evolution, marine depositional environment and anoxide. The results showed that the release of these occluded hydrocarbon, which are remnants from the original oil, can be a tool for the geochemical study of highly biodegraded oils, leading to better maturation and origin information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used high-quality three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data to quantify the timing and magnitude of differential compaction over a Late Miocene submarine channel complex in SE Brazil (Espírito Santo Basin). A thicknessrelief method was applied to quantify the thickness variations in strata deposited over the channel complex. We found that differential compaction started after the channel complex was buried by ~200 m of strata, as revealed by thinning horizons observed over a compaction-related anticline. The size of the anticline is greatest in the south of the study area, reaching heights of 41 ms (~50 m). Fluid expelled through faults on the margins of the channel complex formed large depressions. These depressions increased in size after deep-water currents removed the fluid-rich sediment filling them. Differential compaction also occurred over deposits downslope of knickpoints, reaching maximum heights of 29 ms (~35 m). Seismic reflections onlap the knickpoint face and are believed to comprise slumped strata and debrites. Two-way traveltime isochron and amplitude maps indicate that there are limited connectivity and lateral continuity of the coarse-grained units. Differential compaction over these deposits created anticlines with four-way dip closure. As a consequence, isolated reservoirs were closed vertically by the compaction anticlines and laterally by strata onlapping the knickpoint face. These unique reservoirs could have been charged by migration of hydrocarbons along sands at the base of the channel complex. A fill-to-spill model is hypothesized using the above mechanism: Once an isolated anticlinal trap reached spill point, hydrocarbons migrated upslope into the next trap. Traps like these could form above submarine channels in similar basins around the world (e.g., Gulf of Mexico, west coast of Africa) after early burial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the structure of benthic macrofauna and its relationship with hydrocarbon contamination were determined at different spatial scales in sublittoral sediments of two large estuaries in Brazil. Guanabara Bay (GB) is a heavily polluted estuary due to the presence of a large industrial complex and high demographic density. Laranjeiras Bay (LB) lies in an Environmental Protection Area and can still be considered as preserved from human activities. Despite some spatial differences within each bay, the PAHs concentrations were significantly and consistently higher in GB, with values generally above the threshold effect levels. No signs of hydrocarbon contamination were observed in LB. Macrofauna abundance, diversity and overall assemblage structure were largely different between bays. Canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP), used to model the relationship between macrofauna and PAHs levels, indicated that this class of hydrocarbons is the main structuring factor of soft-bottom assemblages in both bays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Oceanography is the property of Instituto Oceanografico da Universidade de Sao Paulo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Oceanography is the property of Instituto Oceanografico da Universidade de Sao Paulo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Pelotas Basin of Brazil and Uruguay represents a frontier basin with under-explored hydrocarbon potential. Although oil and gas accumulations have yet to be identified, only 21 exploratory wells have been drilled in an area of more than 330,000 km 2 , 20 of which are located in the Brazilian portion of the basin. A detailed study of the petroleum system of offshore Uruguay has strong potential to contribute to a better characterization of the capacity of the basin to generate and accumulate hydrocarbons. Three stages have previously been recognized during the evolution of Pelotas basin: (1) a prerift phase which preserved Paleozoic and Mesozoic units of the Paraná Basin; (2) an Early Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary synrift phase; and (3) a Cretaceous to Cenozoic postrift phase deposited during the passive margin stage. In this study, we use sequence stratigraphy methodology to interpret 2D multichannel seismic sections of the southern segment of the Pelotas Basin in the Uruguayan Atlantic margin. This analysis allows us to identify depositional sequences, systems tracts and the distribution of the main elements of the potential petroleum systems. Following our analysis, we propose six speculative petroleum systems (SPS) in the Pelotas Basin. The first SPS is related to the prerift phase and is represented by a Lower Permian restricted marine source rock and reservoirs related to Permian to Upper Jurassic aeolian and fluvial sandstones. The second SPS corresponds to the synrift phase and is constituted by a Barremian lacustrine source rock with reservoirs of alluvial/fluvial sandstones of the same age. The other four proposed SPS are associated with the postrift phase, represented by marine source rocks related to Aptian-Albian, Cenomanian-Turonian and Paleocene transgressions, all of which are identified in the region and interpreted in seismic lines from Uruguay. These postrift SPS have predominantly siliciclastic reservoirs represented by Early Cretaceous aeolian sandstones and Cretaceous to Cenozoic deltaic sandstones and turbidites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vildagliptin is an inhibitor of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase 4, indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, combined or not with metformin. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of vildagliptin in the Brazilian context. Areas covered: Using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Lilacs and CRD, six studies were selected for the economic models. This study utilised cost data in the Brazilian health system to provide the context. Expert commentary: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an epidemic disease and represents a challenge for all health care systems. Although guidelines clearly define first-line treatment, there are several other promising treatments. Vildagliptin is one of them, resulting in a mean lifetime increase of 0.31 years compared to metformin alone and 1.19 more life years compared to other metformin combinations. Considering observational data, life years with dual vildagliptin-containing treatments were 0.37 more compared to other dual treatments. However, its high cost versus generic metformin and its unclear safety profile weakens its subsequent cost-effectiveness. Consequently, the incorporation of vildagliptin or its combination with metformin is currently not recommended for the Brazilian Health Care System. This may change as more data becomes available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ocean decade (2021-2030) for sustainable development proclaimed in 2017 by the UN, seeks to promote and conserve the sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources. For this, the distribution of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and biomarkers, in sediments from the Fortaleza coastal zone (Mucuripe harbor (MH) and Inner Continental shelf (ICS)) were used to assess the impacts of anthropogenic activities in the area. The concentrations of total n-alkanes (Σ16 n-alkanes) in MH and ICS sediments varied from 35.9 to 94.9 and 17.9 to 197.3 μg g -1 , respectively, while the isoprenoids phytane and pristane in MH and ICS sediments ranged from 0.1 to 1.69 ug g -1 and from 0.14 and 1.20 μg g -1 , respectively. Most of the sediment samples presented carbon preference index (CPI) values close to unity, indicating that the area is submitted to petroleum-related sources. The concentrations of Σ16 PAHs in MH and ICS sediments varied from 87.0 to 562.0 and 98 to 288.0 ng g -1 . This work presents the first investigation of the petroleum biomarkers hopanes and steranes in the Fortaleza coastal zone, in which ΣBiomarkers varied from 0.10 to 1.79 and 0.02 to 0.24 ug g -1 in MH and ICS sediments, respectively. The presence at stations of biomarkers also indicates petrogenic input. The diagnosis of the distribution of pollutants in the investigated zones of the Fortaleza coast suggests contamination from urban areas and oil spills and vessel traffic., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study assessed the concentrations and sources of natural and anthropogenic aliphatic (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in superficial sediments collected along the Patos Lagoon estuary and in sediment cores obtained from the Cassino Beach mud bank. Levels and distribution of n-alkanes indicate terrestrial sources, overlapping with a low amount of petrogenic hydrocarbons (heavy oils). Unresolved complex mixture (UCM) was observed in all samples. On the other hand, the distribution of PAHs in the sediments showed a predominance of pyrolytic over petrogenic sources. In general, hydrocarbons (HCs) contamination in the Patos Lagoon estuary and its adjacent coastal area can be considered low, except for sites near urban or industrial effluents, where moderate to high levels of contamination were found. Concentrations of hydrocarbons were homogeneous throughout the sediment cores, suggesting that mixing processes may have occurred along the layers or that HCs inputs to the mud banks were uniform during the studied deposition period. In addition, the levels and profile of HCs in the coastal sediments were similar to those observed in the estuary. Moreover, the frequent remobilization of sediments from the mud bank towards Cassino beach does not seem to pose any threats to the local biota or beach users since the levels of contamination were relatively low and below the threshold limits of sediment quality guidelines., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Plastic debris is widely recognized as an important marine environmental pollutant. Plastics pollution of coastal areas is a growing concern, with research efforts focusing on macroplastic (>5 mm) and microplastic fractions. Currently, a large proportion of the plastics found in the ocean are in the form of microplastics (<5 mm). Due to their buoyant and persistent properties, microplastics have the potential to be widely dispersed via hydrodynamic processes and ocean currents. Guanabara Bay has been identified as one of the most polluted environments on the Brazilian coastline, mainly due to the presence of heavy metals and hydrocarbons. The aim of this work was to investigate, using field surveys, the abundance, composition and distribution of microplastics and small plastic fragments on the beaches of Guanabara Bay, located in southeastern Brazil. Microplastic concentrations ranged from 12 to 1300 particles per m 2 on the beaches. Fibres, fragments, styrofoam and pellets accounted for 8766 particles, with microplastic fragments representing 56% of the total detected debris, followed by styrofoam fragments (26.7%), pellets (9.9%) and fibres (7.2%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) provided an unprecedented source of space-borne topographic information that has shown to be of particular interest for studies in densely vegetated tropical areas, such as Central Amazonia. The digital elevation models produced in that region show subtle details of the terrain that usually appear blurred in conventional remote sensing images. Interpretation of an SRTM-derived drainage network and geomorphometric features revealed several drainage anomalies, which are possibly the surface expression of buried morphostructural features. Integration with geological and geophysical ancillary data strongly suggested that interpreted features constitute potential structural sites for hydrocarbon exploration. However, due to their inferred nature, the structures herein identified are not by themselves a justification for drilling. However, they do provide information for planning seismic surveys, thus reducing costs of the exploration campaigns, as well as minimizing potential environmental impacts of such an enterprise in areas of tropical rain forests. Despite the relatively small size of the study area, it is expected that procedures presented in this paper can be successfully applied throughout the approximately 1,000,000 km 2 of sedimentary basins in the Brazilian Amazonian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae), a medicinal species found in the Brazilian cerrado biome, are traditionally used to treat wounds and inflammatory disorders. The goal of the present study was to investigate the in vitro wound healing properties of ethanolic extract of H. speciosa leaves and its isolated compounds, using the scratch assay, and to evaluate their effects on the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human acute monocytic (THP-1) cells. H. speciosa ethanolic extract significantly increased (42.8% ± 5.4 at 25 µg/mL) cell migration and proliferation of fibroblasts compared with control cells, as well as the isolated compounds bornesitol (80.8% ± 5.1) and quinic acid (69.1% ± 6.2), both assayed at 50 μM. TNF-α release by LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells was significantly reduced by the ethanolic extract (62.9% ± 8.2, i.e. 1791.1 ± 394.7 pg/mL) at 10 µg/mL, bornesitol (48.9% ± 0.9, i.e. 2461.6 ± 43.1 pg/mL) at 50 μM, and quinic acid (90.2% ± 3.4, i.e. 473.5 ± 164.4 pg/mL) and rutin (82.4% ± 5.6, i.e. 847.0 ± 271.8 pg/mL) at 10 μM. These results provided evidences to support the traditional use of H. speciosa leaves to treat wounds and inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article identifies equity outcomes associated with three biofuel systems in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Guatemala. Acknowledging that winners and losers are socially and politically generated, the article identifies some of the factors behind the distribution of winners and losers along different stages of three sugarcane–ethanol supply chains. Analyzing the outcomes for equity within each case study reveals an uneven distribution that, we argue, is related to the procedure and structure of the given sugarcane–ethanol system, and the recognition of the impacts on different actors within those structures. Increasing equity in sugarcane–ethanol systems will require greater openness in decision-making processes, in order that multiple voices are taken into account in the promotion, production, and consumption of biofuels—particularly those of smaller and less powerful actors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The São Francisco Basin contains a remarkable archive of Neoproterozoic strata and its hydrocarbon-bearing strata are receiving increasing attention as global oil and gas exploration targets progressively deeper and older rocks. New Re–Os geochronology for the Paracatu Slate Formation of the Canastra Group, Brazil, yields a depositional age of 1002 ± 45 Ma. This age represents the first successful application of the Re–Os system to rocks of this group and indicates excellent agreement with a previously published U–Pb detrital zircon age ( Rodrigues et al., 2010 ). Together with TOC values of ca. 2 wt.% (despite greenschist metamorphism), it might be argued that the São Francisco Basin has had the potential for hydrocarbon generation since the Tonian (1000–850 Ma). In addition, we also report an imprecise Re–Os age (1304 ± 210 Ma) for the Serra do Garrote Formation, a further potential source rock of the Vazante Group. We suggest, based on petrological evidence, that the Re–Os systematics were disturbed by post-depositional fluid flow that was most likely associated with Vazante ore deposit mineralization. An attempt to determine a Re–Os date for the Sete Lagoas Formation, a putative post-Sturtian cap carbonate, is precluded owing to low Re abundances (≤100 ppt). Major environmental changes in the aftermath of the Jequitaí glaciation, particularly the development of palaeotopography such as subglacial tunnel valleys, may account for the apparent random distribution of TOC enrichment in these Cryogenian/Ediacaran post-glacial deposits. This scenario might thus have major implications for the hydrocarbon prospectivity of this post-glacial succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Itaipu Lake, which includes the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, is one of the largest dams in the world and has a strong relationship with its surroundings. The flooded area has multiple uses such as navigation, recreation, water abstraction for industrial, urban and agricultural irrigation. The lake is located at the frontier between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. In this study, superficial sediments collected from nine sampling sites were analysed for grain size, organic matter and 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector. The total concentration of PAHs in the dry sediment ranged from 35.21 to 685.37 µg kg. Diagnostic ratios showed that the possible source of PAHs in the Itaipu Lake could be pyrolitic and petrogenic. The potential toxicity of sediment of PAHs varied from not detected to 127.70 µg g, suggesting that some adverse ecological effects would arise due to PAHs in these sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]