Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract In the production of kale, nitrogen is one of the nutrients that the plant needs in greater quantity. Its application must be divided throughout the cycle, due to the loss by leaching. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of splitting organic fertilizers in topdressing on the production of kale. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications, with seven treatments being evaluated in a 2 x 3 + 1 factorial scheme, the first factor was the fertilizers (castor bean cake and bokashi) and the second the application intervals (7; 14 and 21 days), in addition to the control without topdressing fertilization. The amount of each fertilizer was calculated to provide the same dose of N (40 kg ha-1) every 21 days. The following characteristics were evaluated: plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves per plant (NLP), leaf fresh matter mass (LFMM), leaf length at the beginning (LLB), middle (LLMe) and end (LLE) of the cycle and “SPAD” index. There was no interaction between the factors, for any characteristic evaluated. For all traits, the values observed in control was lower than treatments with topdressing. The increases of treatments of factorial in relation to the control were 37.8% (plant height); 31.8% (SD); 157.1% (NLP); 213.5% (MLFMM); 7.6% (LLB); 80.2% (LLMe) and 126.6% for the “SPAD” index. It is recommended to use castor bean cake and split it every 21 days as it results in less labor for application.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Fungal enzymes have potential applicability in plant biomass deconstruction, such as in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysis for biorefinery application. Due to biomass complexity it is necessary to use a set of enzymes in addition to cellulolytic enzymes extracts to hydrolyze the hemicellulose and cellulose efficiently, such as β-glucosidase and pectinases. In this way, this work aimed to study the influence of inoculum in pectinase and β-glucosidase production of Annulohypoxylon stygium DR47 and evaluated culture media components in enzymatic production. Initially, mycelia fragmentation and the carbon source were tested in enzymatic production. The best production occurred with a pre-inoculum, incubated for 48 h, with blender fragmented mycelia cultivated in fructose (20 g∙L-1), as carbon source. Subsequently, tests containing agro-industrial residues (20 g∙L-1) were done to determine the best source for β-glucosidase and pectinases production in the enzyme production medium. Citrus bagasse (CB) was the substrate that induces higher titration of both enzymes (2.36 Upectinase∙mL-1; 1.82 Uβ-glucosidase∙mL-1). In this way, Plackett & Burman experimental design was performed with CB (20 g∙L) as the only carbon source to determine the influence of media components in enzyme production. The pectinase production was negatively affected by ZnSO4 and positively affect by urea, (NH4)2SO4, and MnSO4. Besides significant differences in β-glucosidase production were observed, with a positive effect on urea and peptone addition. In this way, further studies considering C/N ratios and consequently different nitrogen concentrations should be done to better understand the fungus physiology.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The active ingredients used in the phytosanitary management of bean crops have a residual power which results in contamination of the entire production chain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, Hepar Sulphur, and shell limestone on disease management and the development of bean plants. The experiments were carried out at Experimental Station of Epagri, Lages, SC, Brazil, and conducted in a randomized block design with six replications and two cultivars in three growing cycles. Distilled water and an untreated plot were the controls. Treatments were applied by spraying in three phenological stages. Following the appearance of initial symptoms, the incidence and severity of anthracnose, powdery mildew, and angular spot were assessed. At harvest, plant weight, thousand grain weight, number of pods per plant, and number of grains per pod were assessed. The data analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at 5% using the R software. The high-dynamized dilutions of Calcarea phosphorica in the first, shell limestone in the second and Hepar sulphur in the third cycle, increased grains/plant in Perola. By contrast, was an increase in the number of grains in Campeiro when Hepar sulphur, shell limestone and distilled water were applied in the first, second and third cycles, respectively. The application of Calcarea carbonica and Calcarea phosphorica reduced the severity of anthracnose, angular spot and powdery mildew. It can be concluded that high-dynamized dilutions have the potential to reduce the intensity of diseases in bean plants as well as increase grain production.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Among the most cultivated vegetables, brassicas stand out for their economic and social importance, but they also stand out for their requirement for micronutrients, especially cauliflower. In view of the importance of micronutrients in the development of cauliflower, the objective was to study the effect of treating cauliflower seeds with molybdenum (Mo) through film coating and pelleting techniques on physiological quality and field development and production under different managements. For physiological and seedling quality, twelve treatments were evaluated, in a 2x5+2 factorial scheme: two technologies (film coating and pelleting), five doses (0.5; 1.5; 2.5; 3.5 and 4.5 g of Mo kg-1 of seeds) and two controls (technology without nutrient and untreated seed), with four replications, in a completely randomized design for tests conducted in the laboratory and in randomized blocks for tests in the nursery. For the field, ten treatments were evaluated in a 2x2x2+2 factorial scheme: two seed treatment technologies (film coating and pelleting); two Mo doses (0.5 and 4.5 g kg-1 of seeds), two fertilization managements (as recommended by Trani and coauthors (2022) [4] and fertilization without a Mo source) and two control treatments (untreated seed, one in each management), in a randomized block design, with six replications. The treatment of seeds with Mo did not harm the physiological quality in both film coating and pelleting technologies. However, in the experiment in a protected environment, supplementation with this micronutrient by seeds proved to be unnecessary, as no plants with deficiency symptoms were observed and it did not affect production.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Drying agricultural products is a crucial step in maintaining post-harvest quality. Understanding the use of equilibrium moisture content is essential in grain processing, as it is an inherent property of grains. The objective of this study was to assess the number of hours suitable for maintenance aeration, cooling, and low temperature drying, while also evaluating the risks of over-drying the product or the humidification of intergranular air. This study focused on soybeans and corn stored in Unaí, located in the Northwest Mesoregion of Minas Gerais, with a moisture content of 13.0 % (wet basis). Meteorological data were collected from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, using weather stations operated by the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET). The historical series from INMET provided daily meteorological data over the studied period, including collection hour, temperature, and relative humidity values. The results revealed that throughout the year, the air blown into the grain mass for both corn and soybeans-maintained conditions conducive to achieving a moisture content of 13% (on a wet basis). For corn, the months with the highest number of hours suitable for hygroscopic equilibrium were January, April, and June in 2020; May, June, and November in 2021; and April, May, and July in 2022. For soybeans, the months with the most hours suitable for hygroscopic equilibrium were May, June, and November in 2020; April, May, and November in 2021; and March, June, and December in 2022.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Biopesticides have shown high potential in controlling insect pests, including Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). From that perspective, this study evaluated lethal concentrations of the product Fitoneem®, which has Azadirachtin A and B, and its impact on the mortality pattern of D. saccharalis. Fitoneem® was diluted in distilled water at concentrations of 5000 ppm, 10000 ppm, 20000 ppm, 30000 ppm, and 50000 ppm. The larvae were exposed to the product through the following exposure routes: (1) topical spray, applying the product directly to the larvae's prothorax; (2) ingestion, exposing the larvae through inoculation of the product in the artificial diet; and (3) spraying the entire body of the insect, using a manual spray bottle. After exposure, mortality was assessed at 24 intervals for six consecutive days. According to the concentrations studied of Fitoneem®, larvae exposed via spraying all over the body showed LC50 of 18500 ppm and LC90 of 55100 ppm; via topical application, the LC50 was 15700 ppm and LC90 of 17400 ppm, and via ingestion, LC50 of 22500 ppm and LC90 of 70400 ppm. The median lethal time ranged from 96 to 144 hours. Therefore, Fitoneem® in low concentrations promotes high mortality levels in D. saccharalis. Hence, our results show the potential of using Azadirachtin A and B to manage this crucial pest in sugarcane and information that can contribute to understanding its action mode in the insect.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Plants need boron (B) in low concentrations to carry out structural and metabolic functions. However, excess B in the soil can cause problems in plant emergence and development. This study aimed to evaluate the emergence responses and production of nitrogen compounds of herbaceous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.R. latifolium Hutch) germinated in soil with high concentrations of B. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, under a completely randomized design, using different concentrations of B, at concentrations 0.5 (control), 30, 60, and 120 mg B dm-3 soil. Plants were cultivated for 15 days, for evaluation of emergence parameters, and reserves partition and allocation. There was a significant effect of the B application on the emergence velocity index (EVI), emergence percentage, and shoot length. We observed a decrease in the shoot dry mass production and a significant increase in photosynthetic pigments; the concentrations of total soluble amino acids in stems, leaves, and cotyledons, as well as the concentrations of total soluble protein in cotyledons and the concentrations of starch present in all organs, were affected. G. hirsutum showed signs of phytotoxicity in the treatment of 120 mg B dm-3, for all evaluated parameters.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Endozoochory in dry tropical forests is a phenomenon that ensures species perpetuation, due to its positive effects on seed germination and plant establishment. However, the mechanisms behind this germinative success are poorly understood. This study aimed to analyze the ingestion of Libidibia ferrea and Senna spectabilis seeds by goats and sheep and the effect on dormancy and morphophysiological qualities. Four hundred seeds of each species were provided in the feed base of goats and sheep, followed by an evaluation of the recovery rate, germination (%), germination speed index, mean germination time, shoot and root length, and seedlings dry mass. The recovery of seeds from sheep occurred more rapidly (within 48 hours for both species) in the first hours after ingestion, while for goats, this process occurred slowly and over a more extended period, which may potentially favor the perpetuation of the species within the habitat. To elucidate the study, it was noted that vigor variables, dry mass, and germination speed index contribute most to the data explanation for L. ferrea seeds, whereas for S. spectabilis seeds, the germination showed intermediate contribution, suggesting its relevant role in this species. Dormancy of L. ferrea and S. spectabilis seeds can be broken when ingested by goats and sheep, indicating that the passage of the seeds through the digestive system enhances their physiological quality in comparison to those that were not ingested by these animals.

Resumo em Inglês:

HIGHLIGHTS The use of growth regulators to induce fruiting in pumpkins, without natural pollination. Application of IBA via flower on the outside shows higher production of 'butternut type' squash. The CPPU application via flower in the inner part provides a greater number of fruits. The physicochemical quality of butternut squash fruits is not influenced.

Resumo em Inglês:

HIGHLIGHTS Evaluation of physiological changes in mangrove oysters (Crassostrea gasar) in subtropical estuarine environments. Assessment of mortality, metabolic rate, and ammonia excretion at varying salinities (0-35 g L-1) and temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30°C). Potential for significant advancement in the region through small-scale family oyster farming.

Resumo em Inglês:

HIGHLIGHTS First tests of growth and biomass for Lentinus concavus and Panus cf. tephroleucus. Physiological knowledge of mycelial development at high temperatures. Temperature study of strains from three Brazilian biomes: Pantanal, Atlantic Forest and Amazon.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study aimed to develop a bromelain-based gel and evaluate its effects in a ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats. The bromelain-based gel was formulated in two concentrations (1% and 10%). Ten animals were used per group: Control, Periodontitis, Periodontitis + Neutral Gel, Periodontitis + 1% Bromelain Gel, Periodontitis + 10% Bromelain Gel and Periodontitis + 2% Chlorhexidine Gel. The clinical parameters of tooth mobility (TM), gingival bleeding index (GBI) and probing pocket depth (PPD) were evaluated and, after euthanasia, gingival and liver tissue were collected by biopsy for biochemical evaluation of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and from the jaws for morphometric analysis of alveolar bone height. The clinical parameters of MT, GBI and PPD of the groups treated with bromelain gel showed a significant reduction (MT = 67.04%, GBI = 67.72% and PPD = 41.22%) compared to the group with periodontitis. The results for MPO dosage in the gingival tissue showed statistically significant differences between the groups when compared to the group with periodontitis, MDA and GSH showed promising results in the groups treated with gels in the dosages of gingival and liver tissue. The results for ABL showed significant differences when compared to the groups that received gel treatment. Therefore, the bromelain orabase gel evaluated in periodontitis showed a positive response for the following parameters TM, GBI and PPD, MPO, MDA and ABL of the oral tissues, preventing alveolar bone resorption caused by the disease, highlighting the potential as an adjuvant treatment of periodontitis, in addition to reducing the systemic effects on the liver tissue.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-biofilm activity of two essential oils from Varronia curassavica Jaq. Two genotypes (VCUR-202 and VCUR-302), previously identified as exhibiting high antimicrobial activity against Xanthomonas campestris, were selected for this study. Use of Crystal Violet (CV) and Phenol Red (PR) staining of biofilm biomass demonstrated that both Essential Oils (EOs) had strong effect on both biofilm formation and preformed biofilm. The EOs effects on biofilm was confirmed with scanning electron microscopy where the changes in biofilm structure were noticed. Furthermore, results obtained show that sub-inhibitory concentrations of EOs were able to inhibit biofilm formation. Our findings show that EOs from V. curassavica exhibit strong anti-biofilm activity and might be used as a potential agent to controlX. campestris biofilm. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides useful information for the development of natural treatments for black rot caused by X.campestris. Studies on the cellular mechanisms involved in antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities are ongoing. These steps are essential for future in vivo tests using these essential oils to control black rot caused by Xcc.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a new formulation containing melatonin precursors in patients with sleep disorders. Thirty-six individuals were divided into two groups: one receiving the new formulation and the other a placebo, for 30 days. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire before and after intervention. It showed significant improvements in sleep quality, including reduced time to fall asleep, fewer nighttime awakenings, and higher overall satisfaction, in the group receiving the new formulation. However, some aspects, such as difficulty staying awake during the day, did not show significant differences. Comparison between groups revealed initial disparities in sleep-related aspects, which narrowed after intervention in the formulation supplement group. These findings suggest that the new formulation may effectively improve sleep quality, emphasizing the need for further research to comprehensively understand its impact on sleep and overall health.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract HIV-1 exhibits tropism for the CCR5 and/or CXCR4 receptors, which are essential for viral entry into CD4 cells. With the advent of coreceptor antagonists, understanding HIV-1 tropism has become crucial for patient management. The V3 loop, a highly variable region of approximately 35 amino acids, plays a key role in determining tropism. Due to the genetic diversity of HIV-1 subtypes, V3 loop sequences may vary in amino acid composition depending on tropism and subtype. This study aimed to identify critical positions within the V3 loop for defining CCR5, CXCR4, and R5X4 tropisms based on HIV-1 subtype. The random forest algorithm was employed to assess variable importance. CCR5 tropism was predominant, accounting for 80.06% of the sample, while 15% exhibited dual-tropism (R5X4) and 6.37% had CXCR4 tropism. The most prevalent subtype was B, representing 54.45% of the sample. Random forest analysis identified positions 2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 32, and 34 as crucial for HIV-1 tropism. Most of these positions aligned with previous findings. Interestingly, the widely cited 11/25 rule was not universally applicable across subtypes, as recombinant forms exhibited different key positions. Position 25 was important across all subtypes, whereas position 11 ranked among the top five only in subtype B. The random forest algorithm effectively identified key positions for tropism characterization.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) requires relatively high concentrations to induce apoptosis of cancer cells, which can possibly cause apoptosis of normal cells. Anticancer ability of InsP6 could be preserved by combining with histone, so InsP6 can be used at low concentrations. The effect of InsP6 and histone combination has not been investigated on nasopharyngeal cancer cells. The current study elucidated the effect of InsP6 and its combination with histone on the apoptosis of HONE-1 cells. The most effective concentration and the cellular mechanisms by which this combination exerts its anticancer effects were also investigated. HONE-1 and NIH3T3 cells (as normal control cells) were treated with InsP6 and/or histone in different concentrations. Apoptosis percentages of the treated cells were measured with sub-G1 assay. Nuclear fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) reduction in the treated HONE-1 cells were confirmed with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and ∆Ψm assay, respectively. The combination of 10 μM InsP6 and 10 μg/mL histone had the optimal ability to induce the apoptosis of HONE-1 cells. This combination did not induce apoptosis of NIH3T3 cells. The apoptosis-inducing ability of this combination was higher than that of 10 μM InsP6 merely. The ability of InsP6 to induce apoptosis of HONE-1 cells could be enhanced by histone application. Combination of 10 μM InsP6 and 10 μg/mL histone might be the optimal concentrations for inducing apoptosis in HONE-1 cells.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and idiopathic disorder that inflames joint synovial tissue, cartilage, bone and lowers the quality of life. Many studies link RA to leukocyte-mediated inflammation and oxidative damage along with the liberation of many inflammatory cells, degradative enzymes, cytokines and chemokines. Linalool is the primary ingredient of some essential oils derived from aromatic plants containing antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antirheumatic effect of Linalool through invitro, insilico and Complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rat model. Antioxidant activity was measured by 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, Nitric oxide, Superoxide, and Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, and anti-inflammatory activity by Human Red Blood Cell stabilization and Protein denaturation inhibition assay. Rats were stimulated with Complete Freund's adjuvant, type II collagen, and Lipopolysaccharide to develop arthritis and evaluated for biochemical and arthritic markers. Linalool exhibits concentration dependent inhibition in both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays at concentrations ranging from 25 to 250 µg/mL. Subsequently, both 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of Linalool managed all the arthritic parameters (body weight, paw volume, splenic index, and arthritic index) effectively, including Tumor Necrosis Factor- α, Interleukin-6, Lymphocytes and Neutrophils. The insilico analysis shows a favourable protein-ligand interaction for the identified proteins. Linalool was effective in reducing inflammation, prevents joint and cartilage damage, and modulates immunological responses, suggesting it might be helpful in RA. Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate these results and explore Linalool's potential as a viable treatment option for patients suffering from this debilitating autoimmune disease.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract RNA extraction is usually required for molecular detection methods. On the other hand, this step implies time consumption and additional cost to laboratorial routine. This study evaluated the use of direct-RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 detection compared to the gold standard extraction method. An exploratory stage was performed using DMSO, glycerol, Tween 20 and Easy Extract® DNA-RNA addition in a pool of highly positive clinical samples (CT<25), which were subsequently tested by AllplexTM 2019-nCoV assay. Validation was performed with 54 SARS-CoV-2 positive and five negative clinical samples comparing three distinct conditions: (i) 1:1 water dilution, (ii) 1.5% DMSO dilution, or (iii) crude samples. Results of the exploratory stage showed Cycle Threshold (CT) values very close to those obtained by the reference extraction step in high viral load samples. However, when lower viral load samples were analyzed, a slight concordance was observed compared to the extraction step. In the validation stage, it was observed that water or 1.5% DMSO dilution presented 97.3% of concordance in samples with CT≤30, resulting in 97.4% of sensitivity and 0.83 Kappa coefficient. Sensitivity was reduced with samples CT>30 and with crude samples. The methodology showed reproducibility with differents operators. These results reinforce the good performance of direct RT-qPCR methods in active SARS-CoV-2 infection, allowed cost and time reduction of diagnosis.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Z. kleinii is an endemic species in Brazil. No reports of popular use, regarding its chemical composition or biological activities were reported to date. The study aimed to investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum kleinii leaves and evaluate its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The essential oil was extracted from fresh leaves by hydrodistillation method, using a Clevenger apparatus, having a yield of 0.12% (v/m) volume of essential oil in relation to the amount of plant material. Quantitative analysis was performed by GC-MS and the results showed that the essential oil contains 30 compounds. The major compounds are monoterpene hydrocarbons, including β-phellandrene (37.80%), α-pinene (13.32%) and myrcene (10.05%). The essential oil showed no antibacterial activity against the strains tested (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis and S. aureus).

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Essential oils (EO) have the potential to control ectoparasites, being an alternative to the use of synthetic products. The essential oils of Baccharis trimera and Mimosa verrucosa were evaluated for lethality, residual efficacy, and repellence against the ectoparasite Ctenocephalides felis felis Bouché, and toxicity was using Saccharomyces cerevisiae eukaryote model. EOs were obtained by steam distillation and characterized by GC/FID/MS. Mortality at different immature stages and among adult fleas was measured through in vitro filter paper tests at different concentrations of EOs, as well as residual effect and repellent activity. The major compounds for B. trimera were carquejyl acetate (33.0%), carquejol (7.07%), and palustrol (6.99%), and for M. verrucosa, β-pinene (14.2%), (E)-caryophyllene (13.8%), and α-pinene (10.6%). Low toxicity was recorded for B. trimera and M. verrucosa EOs at 200 µg.mL-1. EOs recorded 100% efficacy against adult fleas at 800 µg.cm-2 (LC50 = 369.22 µg.cm-2) and residual effect for three days, B. trimera EO promoted 46.7% of mortality on the 3rd day of the exposition, and M. verrucosa EO 20% of mortality on the 3rd day of the exposition. The repellent activity was presented in the concentration of 40000 µg.mL-1 for B. trimera EO (80% at 12h) and M. verrucosa EO (75% at 6h). The results show great potential for developing alternative products from the essentials of B. trimera and M. verrucosa in control against C. felis felis, which show low toxicity and high activity.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Indole-thiosemicarbazones have different biological activities. The present study evaluated the preliminary interaction of these compounds with biomolecules, specifically human serum albumin (HSA) and DNA, using fluorescence techniques. The suppression results (Ksv) for HSA ranged from 3.5 x 104 to 4.6 x 105 L/mol, while for DNA, they ranged from 1.4 x 104 to 5.9 x 104 L/mol. The suppression was classified as weak to strong for HSA and moderate for DNA. The bimolecular suppression constant (Kq) showed values between 6.0 x 1012 and 8.2 x 1013 L/mol/s for HSA and from 1.4 x 1012 to 5.9 x 1012 L/mol/s for DNA, suggesting a static suppression mechanism. Compound PR09 stood out, presenting a binding constant (Ka) greater than 105 L/mol for HSA, indicating a strong interaction. Additionally, PR05, PR06, PR07, and PR09 demonstrated strong interactions with DNA. The values of the number of binding sites (n) indicated that PR01, PR02, and PR09 bind to multiple sites on HSA, while PR04, PR05, PR06, and PR09 interact with more than one site on DNA. All interactions were spontaneous, with ∆G negative. The distance between the compounds and tryptophan on HSA was less than 8 nm, suggesting high energy transfer efficiency. In molecular docking studies, PR05 showed the highest affinity for DNA (-11.15 kcal/mol), while PR09 had the highest affinity for HSA (-10.00 kcal/mol). PR07 exhibited the lowest binding energies for DNA (-8.21 kcal/mol) and for HSA (-7.38 kcal/mol). This study demonstrates that the evaluated compounds have potential as new drug candidates.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The essential oils extracted from plants can demonstrate biological activity against a significant number of pathogens and/or antioxidant activity. The objective was to extract and identify the substances present in the essential oil of leaves, peel, and seeds of 'Bengal' lychee. Leaves and fruits of Litchi chinensis Sonn. were collected from an orchard located at the São Manuel Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences at the São Paulo State University (FCA/Unesp/Brazil). The extraction of the essential oil was performed by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The analysis of the essential oil was carried out using gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer and a flame ionization detector. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the chemical composition and the yield of essential oil were performed in triplicate, and the data were subjected to multivariate analysis. The essential oil yield ranged from 0.03% to 0.19%, with the highest percentage observed in the lychee peel. Twenty-two compounds were identified in the leaf, eighteen in the peel, and twenty in the seed. γ-Himachalene was the most abundant in the essential oil of the leaf, peel, and seed, with 30.36%, 51.85%, and 39.95%, respectively. The essential oil of lychee contains compounds with potential for use in various industrial sectors.

Resumo em Inglês:

HIGHLIGHTS PCL nanocapsules containing lutein for skin use were successful obtained. Nanocapsules showed physical stability after 30 days when stored at room temperature and 4 °C. Nanoencapsulation improved the in vitro antioxidant action compared to free lutein. PCL nanocapsules containing lutein show biocompatibility with fibroblasts at lower concentrations.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Astragalus species include rich bioflavonoids, triterpene glycosides, flavonoids, isoflavonoids and saponins. Astragalus species are traditionally used for diarrhea, dental treatment, diabetes treatment and as a cough remedy. In this study, the phytochemical content (total phenolic content and quantitative analysis of phenolics) and biological activity (DPPH˙) of the methanol extract of Astragalus onobrychis were investigated. The SPMB technique, a new method, was used for total phenolic and DPPH˙ analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) and theoretical in silico studies (molecular docking and PASS) were applied to the major component as kaempferol-3-glucoside (K3G) in the constituent analysis, which was performed by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Accordingly, the methanol extract of A. onobrychis was found to have high total phenolic content (FCR; 111.67 mg GA/g plant) and DPPH˙ (48.57%) analysis. Moreover, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed the K (285.011 µg/g extract) to be major constituent. In addition, the interactions of the K3G molecule with DNA mtyltransefraze 1 and urease enzyme were compared with the standard daunorubicin and thiourea. It was found that K3G may have inhibitory potential. These results can be substantiated in future studies by in vivo and in vitro studies.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This work reports a real-time PCR assay to specifically detect the presence of gluten in complex food matrices and to carry out an in-silico prospection of primers used in scientific research. The primers used were “tritprglut” and “Planta 18S” (reference gene), which had mean quantification cycle values (Cq) of 34.30 and 16.98, respectively. The real-time PCR protocol was validated in different meats (beef, chicken, pork, horse and lamb) with an average Cq of 25.69. Tests to verify fraud in industrialized foods were carried out with the following products: cereal bars, chocolate, crackers and two types of snacks. All foods complied with the information contained on the label, except for the cereal bar that was identified as “may contain gluten” and had a “high content” concentration (1,925 mg/kg). The LD value was 36 cycles and the LQ was 60 mg/kg, being within the “low content” classification range. The in-silico tests were performed using two software, MFE and NETprimer, and the content parameters GC, Tm (°C), ∆G (kcal/mol), dimer formation and hairpins. The “Wheat-w-Gliadin” primer showed the best average parameters: size= 24 bp; GC= 44%; Tm = 62.5 °C; ∆G= -32.25 kcal/mol; no dimer or hairpin formation; and a maximum primer rating (100). There were differences in results between the software used. The results highlight the potential of the real-time PCR technique in detecting gluten and/or allergens in foods with a complex matrix, such as chocolate and cereal bars tested in this study, proving to be sensitive and robust to detect the presence of potentially high gluten concentrations. harmful for celiac consumers.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Heat treatment used in milk powder processing cannot always inactivate spore-forming microorganisms. Toxin deterioration and production by some species are significant concerns for the dairy industry, making the identification of these microorganisms essential for solving problems with the quality of the products. Given this scenario, this study sought to quantify and identify the predominant species in milk powder, aiming to know the isolated genetic varieties. Fourteen samples were analyzed for aerobic/anaerobic, mesophilic, and thermophilic bacterial spore presence, totaling 52 analyses. Spore contamination was verified in all samples analyzed, and the thermophilic spores had the highest contamination levels. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed 47 isolates: Weizmannia coagulans (21%), Anoxybacillus flavithermus (5.3%), Clostridium butyricum (5.3%), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (2.6%), Geobacillus stearothermophilus (2.6%), Clostridium pabulibutyricum (2.6%), Clostridium sporosphaeroides (2.6%), Bacillus licheniformis (2.6%), Bacillus sp. (34%), Geobacillus sp. (15.8%), and Clostridium sp. (5.3%). The results indicate the need to establish control measures to improve the hygiene and processing conditions of powdered milk, thereby ensuring product quality and consumer safety.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Cassava starch (CS) possesses unique attributes such as mild flavor, bright white color, distinctive rheological behavior, and pasting properties, making it a key ingredient in diverse food applications. As the second-most demanded starch globally, CS is primarily produced in tropical and subtropical regions, with Brazil being a leading producer. A specific type of cassava starch, known as polvilho azedo in Brazil (almidón agrio in Colombia), is traditionally made using natural fermentation and sun drying. This culturally significant starch is essential for gluten-free bread production. This study analyzed eight commercial samples of polvilho azedo (PA) and one native CS sample to evaluate key characteristics, including color, acidity, organic acid content, pasting behavior, rheological and thermal properties, morphological structure, swelling, solubility, syneresis, and baking performance. Results revealed notable variability in product quality. Three of the eight samples were likely industrially processed, showing the lowest acidity (1.53 mL NaOH100g-1), organic acid content (607.1 mgkg-1), and b* values (1.84), alongside the highest L* values (>95.2). The lack of specific Brazilian regulations for PA has allowed chemically modified starches to be marketed as traditional PA, potentially misleading consumers and compromising product authenticity. This highlights the need for clear standards to protect the integrity of this unique product.

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Abstract The present study elucidates the effect of hot water treatment (HWT) on insecticide residue degradation in apple fruit while maintaining their optimum quality. Insecticide (chlorpyriphos, dimethoate, malathion and thiacloprid) residues were measured in apples by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem-mass spectrometry (TQ LC-MS/MS) after hot water treatment (48 °C, 50 °C, 52 °C and 54 °C each for 2, 3, 4 and 5 min) and during subsequent cold storage (2±1 °C at 90-95% RH) for 90 days. The method was validated for linearity, specificity, accuracy and precision using SANTE guidelines. Recovery of the insecticides was within the acceptable range (87.72 to 117.21%) with 4.00 to 8.52% relative standard deviation. Increasing HWT temperature and duration significantly reduced insecticide residues (ranging from 28% to 100%), with the lowest processing factors (PF values of 0.51 and 0.19 for 4 and 5 minutes) observed at 52 °C and 54 °C. The degradation of insecticides followed first-order kinetics, leading to complete dissipation of malathion and dimethoate during HWT, while chlorpyriphos and thiacloprid exhibited slower dissipation rates. In a nutshell HWT effectively reduced insecticide residues in apples while maintaining quality.

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Abstract Glioma brain tumors have similar textural patterns to other tumors, making their detection and segmentation a challenging process. The approach of the Modified Tumor Detection System (MTDS) is presented in this study to identify and categorize brain images of gliomas from images of healthy brains. The Spatial Gabor Transform (SGT), feature calculations, and deep learning structure comprise the training work flow of the suggested MTDS technique. The features are computed from the glioma brain image dataset images and the normal brain image dataset images and these features are fed into the classification architecture. In this paper, the proposed IVGG architecture is derived from the existing Visual Geometry Group (VGG) architecture to improve the detection rate of the proposed system and to decrease the computational time complexity. The testing work flow of the proposed system is also consist of SGT, feature computation and the IVGG architecture to produce the classification result of the source brain images into either normal or glioma. Furthermore, the Morphological Segmentation technique has been used to find the tumor locations in this glioma image. Two separate brain imaging datasets have been used in this study to evaluate and validate the suggested MTDS's performance efficiency. BRATS Imaging 2020 (BI20) and Kaggle Brain Imaging (KBI) are the datasets. Analysis of the performance efficiency has been done in relation to the Jaccard index, recall, precision, and detection rate.

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Abstract To ensure the quality of the energy in distribution networks, configurations of voltage regulators (VRs) and Shunt Capacitor Banks (BCshunts) are traditionally used along the feeders. Series Capacitors Bank (BCseries) along the feeders can also help to improve the power quality. In this paper, a strategy is proposed based on a mathematical formulation for an optimization problem where the aim is to allocate and size BCshunts and VRs (as traditionally implemented in the electricity sector) together with BCseries in distribution networks. These devices are allocated using Genetic Algorithm together with Multiperiod Optimal Power Flow. Using the proposed strategy, it is analyzed the network performance by studying: (i) the allocation of VRs and BCshunts simultaneously, and (ii) the allocation of VRs, BCshunts and BCseries simultaneously. The objective function is based on the minimization of active power loss costs, penalties for voltage violations, and equipment costs. Results are presented for a 90-bus radial distribution system which show that the use of BCseries is suitable for feeders with abrupt load variations, and that this approach competes positively with the simultaneous allocation of VR and BCshunt devices, with shorter investment amortization times and improved quality indices.

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Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, affects approximately 10 million individuals worldwide. The disease is characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms, and clinical aspects are pivotal for diagnosis. Vocal abnormalities can be identified in about 90% of PD patients in the early stages of the condition. Machine Learning (ML), a prominent subfield of Artificial Intelligence (AI), holds significant promise in the medical domain, particularly for early disease detection, enabling effective preventive measures and treatments. In this paper, we considered the unique characteristics of each ML algorithm. Seventeen ML algorithms were applied to a dataset of voice recordings from Healthy Control and PD individuals, sourced from a publicly available repository. We leveraged the PyCaret Python library's ML algorithms and functions, which were introduced in this article, to demonstrate their simplicity and effectiveness in dealing with real-world data. Among these algorithms, Extra Trees Classifier (ETC), Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC), and K Neighbors Classifier (KNN) exhibited the best performance for the given dataset. Furthermore, to enhance the models' performance, we employed various techniques, including Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) to address class imbalance, feature selection based on correlation, and hyperparameter tuning. Our findings highlight the potential of the PyCaret ML library demonstrated in this article as a valuable tool for applying ML to the classification of Parkinson's disease through voice analysis. The application of ML in this context can greatly support clinical decision-making, leading to more informed and precise interventions.

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Abstract A new method is proposed for the intelligent down-sampling of digital curves that provides efficient compression. The proposed down-sampling is non-uniform and is based on the spatial distribution of points on the digital curve (line diagram). The down-sampled points form a polyline or polygon which is an approximate representation of the input digital curve. The down-sampled points are determined using an optimization solver, such that the differential area between the original digital curve and the optimally generated down-sampled polyline or polygon, is minimal. The mean percentage execution time saved by our proposed method, compared to its nearest competitor, is found to be about 18%.

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Abstract Energy losses in transmission lines can be aggravated by contact deterioration and corrosion, posing significant challenges to the reliability of energy distribution. Those conditions can be quickly identified using thermography, a popular non-invasive inspection method mandatory in many countries, with a minimum frequency determined by legislation. While recent advancements have focused on automating this process using artificial intelligence, working directly on the infrared domain remains a challenging task; not only assembling an infrared dataset requires specialists to properly annotate the images, making the task harder and more expensive, mainstream object detectors, made for the visible light domain, require modifications to work correctly on the infrared domain. Our proposed method allows using an object detector with results comparable to other works that performed detection directly on the infrared domain while requiring no significant changes to the model architecture. By employing stereo cameras, capable of collecting both the visible light spectrum and infrared, we can perform the detection on the visible light images and then transfer the box coordinates to the paired infrared image after rectifying the image pair to match.

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Abstract Calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) is widely used in medical and aesthetic fields for bone repair and dermal applications. Luteolin (LUT), a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may enhance the therapeutic potential of HAp for collagen production into the skin. The main aim of this paper was to develop and validate a simple and reliable RP-HPLC/DAD method for quantifying LUT in HAp nanocomposites. The synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HAp) was performed via precipitation method. To obtain the novel nanocomposites, n-HAp was associated with LUT by the wet method using ethanol into a SpeedMixer®, followed by drying into an oven at 35ºC for 48 hours. The RP-HPLC/DAD method was developed for quantifying the LUT incorporation efficiency. The validation parameters assessed included selectivity, linearity, limits of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD), precision, accuracy, robustness, and sample stability. The novel nanocomposites n-Hap-LUT were successfully prepared using the proposed method. The incorporation efficiency demonstrated high values of 82.90% and 95.16% for nHAp-LUT samples. Thus, the RP-HPLC/DAD method was appropriate for quantifying LUT in novel dermal aesthetic products for collagen production and may be further used for design and quality control of novel collagen biostimulation technologies.

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Abstract Monitoring soil moisture is an essential aspect of comprehending the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the cost of commercial sensors often challenges their acquisition. In response to this issue, manufacturers have developed several low-cost soil moisture sensors in recent decades, but there is still a need to improve the evaluation of their precision and accuracy. This article assesses the precision and accuracy of a low-cost soil moisture sensor SEN0193. The assessment results highlight the consistent precision of SEN0193 and emphasize the homogeneity of responses among sensors of the same model. The study also underscores the significant impact of soil granulometry on sensor precision, emphasizing the importance of realizing site-specific calibrations. In terms of accuracy, the study reveals that the calibration recommended by the manufacturer tends to overestimate moisture, particularly in soils with smaller granulometry. The study suggests that soil-specific calibration methods utilizing linear equations are more reliable and effective than polynomial and exponential approaches, especially when employing three to five calibration points. This study offers an essential contribution to the advancement of accessible methods for soil moisture monitoring. These methods are crucial for efficiently monitoring soil moisture in agriculture and natural ecosystems.

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Abstract Global warming caused by climate change causes some problems in agricultural production. One of these problems is the increase in various pest populations. This increase poses a serious threat to agricultural products and significantly negatively affects productivity and quality. Insecticides are commonly used to combat pests. However, most of the time, farmers' lack of knowledge in recognizing pests and understanding their effects results in incorrect and excessive spray applications. While excessive use of insecticides harms human health and environmental pollution, it also increases production costs, causes changes in the genetic structures of pests, causing them to become more resistant, and makes agricultural control difficult. Therefore, early detection of pests and their damage to the plant is extremely important. This study aims to develop an accurate and efficient method to detect damage caused by the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, on tomato leaves. A dataset comprising healthy and damaged tomato leaves was created. Using a hybrid approach, features were extracted through Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with transfer learning and classified using traditional machine learning techniques. Among the methods evaluated, SVM-Linear achieved the highest accuracy with 97.83%, outperforming other classifiers such as Random Forest with 96.14%, Rotation Forest with 95.89%, and SVM-RBF with 90.70%. These results highlight the potential of combining deep learning-based feature extraction with conventional machine learning for early pest detection. This approach offers a practical solution to reduce the misuse of insecticides and improve pest management strategies, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

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HIGHLIGHTS The National Electric Energy Agency launches Call No. 22 for Electric Mobility Projects. Development of an electric truck to perform maintenance in electricity distribution networks. Development of a route planning model for electric trucks. Results of the methodology application in two scenarios.

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Abstract Linearity and efficiency are simultaneously two important aspects for designing a power amplifier (PA) dedicated to 5G millimeter-wave applications. However, a PA suffers a trade-off between these two aspects. The maximum efficiency of this circuit happens in a non-linear region, which is not suited for mobile transmission applications. Besides, even when operating at the linear region, the circuit may not be able to fully comply with digital metrics standards which ensure a good quality for mobile transmission applications. To enhance efficiency in back-off regions from the PA non-linear region, Doherty topology is a good preference. To comply with digital metrics standards, enhancement of PA linearity through digital pre-distortion (DPD) is possible. This work presents the design of a Doherty PA at a central frequency of 26 GHz and focuses on showing a methodology for linearization with DPD using an iteration between SpectreRF and MATLAB. The PA is designed in a 45 nm node using a commercial CMOS process. DPD is applied using a memory polynomial model with an indirect learning structure to enhance its accuracy. For continuous-wave signals, the Doherty PA achieves a saturation power of 22.2 dBm, a peak PAE of 23.76% and 12.6% in 6 dB back-off region. DPD is applied to comply with error vector magnitude (EVM) standards for a 5G NR modulated signal. The DPD technique improves the linearity of the PA as it can be seen by the improvement in the measured EVM by 20/3 dB and in adjacent-channel-power-ratio (ACPR) by 18.36/4.28 dB for a 5G NR 256 QAM signal with 50/100 MHz bandwidth.

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Abstract In the present study, a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach is being explored to remove the harmful dye Congo red from synthetic wastewater, using an equatorial strain of Rhodococcus biphenylivorans. The immobilized cells’ Congo red-decolorizing activity in calcium alginate showed an increase of 217% compared to the free cells. By improving the alginate concentration to 4% (w/v), the bead diameter to 3 mm and using 50 beads, a 67% decrease in the time required for complete decolorization was accomplished. Both free and immobilized cells followed first-order kinetics for the elimination of Congo red, with immobilized cells displaying a decolorization rate 3.2 times greater than that of free cells, resulting in an 84% reduction in half-life. The immobilized cells displayed the capability to remove 0.10 g/L Congo red without any significant decline in their efficiency for up to twelve cycles, offering an economic advantage due to their reusability. Examining the decolorized products of Congo red showed no hindrance in the germination of Triticum aestivum and Vigna radiata, indicating the effective removal of all toxic components from the original dye via the biological method. Therefore, this strain has significant potential as a biological agent to eliminate wastewater contaminated with Congo red efficiently.

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Abstract Mapping of shipping underwater noise purposed for environmental impact assessments and to forecast noise effects on aquatic life incorporate source spectral models. These models published in scientific literature updated regularly, although these may have limitations and may depend on the variables stored in the ship’s automated identification system data, tied to specific locations i.e., ship speeds and their lengths. Regarding these limitations, it is crucial to assess the possibility of model application in the research area. In this paper the results of evaluation of four different noise models in the shallow Lithuanian marine harbor presented. The results acquired using “ECHO-JOMOPANS” model and the updated “Research Ambient Directionality Model” revealed good correlation with measurement results, although these two models have a different dependency on the ships parameters. The benchmarked “ECHO-JOMOPANS” model incorporates the reference spectrum, having the dependency on the sound frequency, ship’s speed, its length and ships database related reference speeds and ships lengths. In contrast, an updated “Research Ambient Directionality Model” is a modification of an original model, having the dependency only on the sound frequency, ship’s speed, and length.

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HIGHLIGHTS Probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, paraprobiotics and postbiotics used in food production. Benefits of consuming foods with probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, paraprobiotics and postbiotics. Postbiotics and paraprobiotics indicate beneficial health effects that go beyond the mere presence of probiotic microorganisms.

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Abstract There are innumerable types of plants, many of which have therapeutic applications. Traditional medicine frequently makes use of medicinal herbs. Accurate identification of medicinal plants would be highly advantageous to the forest service, life scientists, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, governments, the public, and the people who take drugs. Manual methods are quick and accurate for identifying plants, but only subject-matter specialists should use them. However, it does take some time. False positives are possible, and they could not only cause serious problems but also negative consequences. Deep learning techniques are rapidly being used to solve computer vision challenges. In this study, we suggested DeepCNNMed (RPNN + FCNN), an automated system for categorizing medicinal plants that will enable individuals to recognize valuable plant species fast. It is well known that feature extraction and classification are impacted by RPNN + FCNN. The RPNN + FCNN classifier was used to separate the exception properties and classify them, and the resulting DeepCNNMed model exhibits 97.2% accuracy with negligible losses on real-time images.

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Abstract Imbalanced feeding and reduced physical activity cause obesity and metabolic impairments. It was investigated whether an obese phenotype and alterations of glucose metabolism because of a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) in mice could be prevented by a protocol of high-intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT). Male Swiss mice were distributed in groups: CoS (n=24) control, sedentary and fed with standard rodent chow; ObS (n=20) obese, sedentary, and ObT (n=20) obese, trained, both fed with HCD. The training sessions (group ObT) were made on vertical ladder with 90% of the maximal load of each animal corrected weekly. After eight weeks, in vivo glucose monitoring tests, tissue and blood analyses (n=10 animals per group) and in situ liver perfusion (n=10-14 animals per group) were carried out. HCD significantly increased food ingestion and adiposity; caused liver lipid accumulation, high blood glucose and glucose intolerance; and diminished the liver output of glucose, lactate, pyruvate and nitrogen. Despite the markedly improved training performance of the ObT mice, adiposity or liver fat were not significantly changed, and HIIRT was only mildly successful as a preventive agent against the changes of glucose metabolism (restoring glucose output only with glycerol and lactate, and pyruvate output with alanine) and lipid profile (such as triglycerides, HDL, VLDL and TyG index), suggesting an insufficient energy expenditure of the designed protocol. These observations indicate that excess adiposity does not compromise high-intensity resistance training, but training format, modality, intensity and frequency are important determinants of exercise efficacy against obesity and metabolic impairments.