Mannans: Structural carbohydrates produced during seed maturation in Euterpe edulis Martius, an Atlantic Forest species vulnerable to extinction.

Palm seedlings are visually selected from mature fruits in a slow process that leads to nonuniform germination and high embryo mortality. In this study, we determined the levels of monosaccharides, their crystallinity, and their role in the formation of Euterpe edulis endosperm during seed maturation. Seeds harvested from 108 to 262 days after anthesis (DAA) were analyzed morphologically, physiologically, and chemically to measure soluble and insoluble lignins, ashes, structural carbohydrates, degree of crystallinity, and endo-ß-mannanase. The seeds achieved maximum germination and vigor at 164 DAA. During the early stages, only compounds with a low structural order were formed. The contents of soluble and insoluble lignins, ashes, glucans, and galactans decreased during maturation. Those of mannans, the main structural carbohydrate in the endosperm, increased along with the degree of crystallinity, as suggested by a mannan-I-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Similarly, endo-ß-mannanase activity peaked at 262 DAA. The superior physiological outcome of seeds and seedlings at 164 DAA implies a 98-day shorter harvesting time. The state of mannans during seed maturation could be used as a marker to improve seedling production by E. edulis.

Mangroves as traps for environmental damage to metals: The case study of the Fundão Dam.

This essay is a conceptual framework for testing the causal mechanisms of system degradation by metals in the mangrove ecosystem. The Fundão Dam collapse caused massive damage to the marine environment on the Southern Atlantic and Brazilian coast, reaching various kilometers from its origin, becoming a source of contamination. Along this Brazilian coast are vast mangrove areas with high biodiversity, different geomorphology, and distinct ecological functioning. These mangroves support fisheries' productivity in the Tropical South Atlantic, in connection with Abrolhos Reef. Brazil does not have a protocol to monitor environmental damage in this ecosystem, and we proposed to develop a way to identify the impact and quantify it. Along the estuaries, to assess the damage, the plots were demarked in three regions: the upper, middle, and lower estuary, and in both types of forest: fridge and basin. Samples of sediment and leaves were collected bi-monthly to evaluate metal concentrations, especially iron and manganese, the most abundant metals in Fundão Dam. The monitoring also evaluated the forest structure, dynamics of the crabs' population, and flora productivity. First-year monitoring identifies a high concentration of iron or manganese in the sediment above the NOAAs' recommendation in all the estuaries. The concentration of Fe and Mn in sediment varies seasonally in magnitude, concentration, and types of metals between estuaries, sectors, and forests. The behavior of biological indicators in the presence of metals (type and concentration) differed between fauna and flora species. The monitoring recognized that the tailings mining from Fundão Dam impacted all estuaries by different magnitudes and persistence. These differences are due to geomorphology diversity, climate, and oceanographic influences.

Sapucaia nut: Morphophysiology, minerals content, methodological validation in image analysis, phenotypic and molecular diversity in Lecythis pisonis Cambess.

Sapucaia or Lecythis pisonis Cambess. is an ornamental tree that produces edible, tasty, and nutritious nuts, and can be used for timber production. Sapucaia has potential as a functional food, owing to optimal nutritional and particularly Se levels. The present study sought to characterize the seeds of 21 sapucaia matrices from forest remnants of a neotropical hotspot (Atlantic Forest) and farms in two Brazilian states. Biometrics, germination, vigor, lignin content in the teguments, minerals content, and phenotypic and molecular diversity were analyzed. The seeds of matrices 16 and 21 were the most vigorous. Nuts from matrices 21 and 17 contained the highest amounts of Se. Matrices 5, 8, and 21 were the most phenotypically distant; whereas matrix 21 was the most genetically distant. Importantly, we validated a new non-destructive and efficient X-ray-based methodology for internal and densitometric analysis of sapucaia seeds, and demonstrated a high genetic divergence among matrices.

AIDS tendencies in São Mateus microregion, state of Espírito Santo, and Brazil from 1999 to 2008.

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, AIDS has been described as a multi-faceted pandemic. This study aimed to describe the trends of AIDS in São Mateus microregion, in Espírito Santo, and in Brazil, from 1999 to 2008. METHODS: Data were collected from the Notification Offences System, and a trend analysis was made. RESULTS: Microregion-based results are close to the state and national levels but with particular features that indicate the presence of regional sub-epidemics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite progress in nearly thirty years of the epidemic, AIDS remains an incurable disease, and prevention is still the best defense against it together with the implementation of specific public policies.

AIDS tendencies in São Mateus microregion, state of Espírito Santo, and Brazil from 1999 to 2008

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, AIDS has been described as a multi-faceted pandemic. This study aimed to describe the trends of AIDS in São Mateus microregion, in Espírito Santo, and in Brazil, from 1999 to 2008. METHODS: Data were collected from the Notification Offences System, and a trend analysis was made. RESULTS: Microregion-based results are close to the state and national levels but with particular features that indicate the presence of regional sub-epidemics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite progress in nearly thirty years of the epidemic, AIDS remains an incurable disease, and prevention is still the best defense against it together with the implementation of specific public policies.

Mortalidade por causas externas na microrregião de São Mateus, estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil: tendências de 1999 a 2008 / Mortality due to external causes in the micro-Region of São Mateus, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil: trends from 1999 to 2008

Objetivo: analisar as tendências da mortalidade por causas externas segundo variáveis sociodemográficas, na microrregião de São Mateus, estado do Espírito Santo, no período 1999-2008. Métodos: os dados foram obtidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). Foram calculados coeficientes de mortalidade segundo sexo, faixa etária e cor da pele ou raça. Realizou-se análise de tendência usando o modelo de regressão polinomial melhor ajustado. Resultados: No período 1999-2008, o coeficiente de mortalidade por causas externas elevou-se 76,45 para 118,21 óbitos por 100 mil habitantes (p<0,001). Também houve aumento significativo (p<0,001) entre homens, (117,00; 204,22), adolescentes (10 a 19 anos) (51,93; 96,80), adultos (20 a 59 anos), (109,19; 158,79); indivíduos de cor da pele parda (40,59; 144,04) e negra (50,15; 145,66). Conclusão: a mortalidade por causas externas foi maior na população masculina, jovem e negra. No período estudado, a microrregião apresentou forte tendência de aumento da mortalidade por causas externas.

Objective: to analyze trends in mortality due to external causes according to sociodemographic variables, in the microrregion of São Mateus, Espírito Santo state, in the period 1999-2008. Methods: data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM). Mortality rates by sex, age and skin color, and race were calculated. Trends were analyzed using adjusted polynomial regression models. Results: In the period 1999-2008, the mortality rate from external causes rose from 76.45 to 118.21 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (p <0.001). There were also significant increases (p <0.001) among men, (117.00,204.22), adolescents (10 to 19 years) (51.93,96.80), adults (20 to 59 years) (109.19,158.79); and individuals with brown (40.59,144.04) and black (50.15,145.66) skin color. Conclusion: the mortality from external causes was higher among the male, young and black individuals. In the studied period, there was a strong trend towards increase in the mortality from external causes.

Tendência da AIDS segundo categoria exposta na microrregião São Mateus, no Espírito Santo e no Brasil, no período de 1999 a 2008 / Aids tendency according to exposure category in São Mateus microregion, Espírito Santo State and Brazil from 1999 to 2008 / Tendencia del sida, según categoría expuesta en la microregión de San Mateus, Espírito Santo, Y en Brasil durante el período de 1999 a 2008

O perfil da pandemia de Aids vem sendo marcado pela feminização,envelhecimento, pauperização, heterossexualização e interiorização. A microrregião São Mateus é limítrofe aos estados da Bahia e Minas Gerais, caracterizada por carência social e grande afluxo de pessoas em busca de atividades econômicas e acesso a serviços de saúde. Objetivou-se descrever a tendência da Aids segundo categoria exposta, na Microrregião São Mateus, no Espírito Santo (ES) e no Brasil, no período de 1999 a 2008. Os dados foram coletados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos e Notificações (SINAM); realizou-se análise de tendência no programa GENES. No geral, a primeira, segunda e quarta maior médiade casos ocorreu na exposição heterossexual, ignorada e usuários de drogas injetáveis, respectivamente. Por área avaliada, a transmissão homossexual foi a terceira maior no ES e Brasil e quinta maior na Microrregião; transmissão vertical (TV) terceira maior na Microrregiãoe sexta maior no Brasil e ES. As tendências foram crescentes em todas as categorias na Microrregião; somente nas ignoradas, usuários de drogas injetáveis e TV no ES; e ignorada e TV no Brasil. A Microrregião apresentou perfil semelhante ao estadual e nacional, mas comparticularidades que apontam para a presença de subepidemias regionais.

The profile of the Aids pandemic has been marked by feminization, aging,pauperization, heterosexualization and interiorization. The microregion of Sao Mateus neighbouring the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais is characterized by social deprivation and high flow of people who seek economic activities and access to health care. The aim of thisstudy is to describe the tendency of Aids according to exposure category, in the Microregion of Sao Mateus, in the state of Espírito Santo and in Brazil, from 1999 to 2008. The data was collected from the National disease notification system, and a trend analysis was made throughthe GENES program. In general, the first, second and fourth highest average cases occurred through ignored heterosexual sexual contact and with injecting drug users, respectively. Taking into consideration the studied areas, homosexual transmission was the third largest in the stateof Espírito Santo and Brazil and fifth largest in Sao Mateus; In regards to vertical transmission (VT) this study shows the third largest rates in the Microregion and the sixth largest in Brazil and Espírito Santo. The tendencies have been increasing in all categories in Sao Mateus; and onlyin categories ignored, injecting drug users and VT in the state of Espírito Santo, and ignored categories and VT in Brazil. The Microregion of Sao Mateus showed a similar profile to the state and national levels, but with characteristics that indicate the presence of regional sub-epidemics.

El perfil de la pandemia del SIDA ha estado marcada por la feminizacíon,envejecimiento, pauperización, heterosexualizacíon e interiorización. La Microregíon de San Mateus hace limite con los estados de Bahía y Minas Gerais, se caracteriza por la privación social y la gran afluencia de personas en busca de las actividades económicas y el acceso a los servicios de salud. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la tendencia del SIDA de acuerdo con la categoría expuesta en la Microregión de San Mateus, Espírito Santo, y Brasil, de 1999 a 2008. Los datos fueran colectados en el Sistema de Enfermedades y notificaciones, El análisis de tendencia se realizó con el programa GENES. En general, el primero, segundo y cuarto promedio más grande de casos ocurrió en la exposición heterosexual, ignorado, y usuarios de drogas inyectables respectivamente. Para el área evaluada, la transmisión homosexual fue la tercera más grande en Brasil y en Espírito Santo, y la quinta mayor en la Microregión; transmisión vertical (TV) tercera más grande en la Microregión y sexta en Brasil y en Espírito Santo. Las tendencias fueron crecientes en todas las categorías en la Microregíon; Solamente en las ignorados, usuarios de drogas inyectables y TV en Espírito Santo; e ignorado y TV en Brasil. La Microregíon presentó semejante al estadual ynacional, pero con particularidades que indican subepidemias regionales.

Adubação foliar com macro e micronutrientes no crescimento de mudas micropropagadas do abacaxizeiro cv. Gold [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill] em diferentes recipientes / Foliar fertilization with macro and micronutrients in the growth of plantlets micropropagated of pineapple cv. Gold [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill] in different containers

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito da adubação foliar com macro e micronutrientes no crescimento das mudas micropropagadas do abacaxizeiro cv. Gold [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill], em diferentes recipientes. O experimento foi em esquema fatorial 8x3, adubação foliar em 8 níveis e recipientes em 3 níveis, através de um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 5 repetições. As mudas foram padronizadas com altura média de 7,12 cm. As adubações foliares foram feitas com uréia, cloreto de potássio, ácido bórico, um formulado comercial com macro e micronutrientes e testemunha (pulverização com água) e os recipientes: bandeja de isopor com 200 células; tubete pequeno de 115 cm³; e tubete grande com 300 cm³. O substrato utilizado foi o plantmax hortaliças®. Avaliaram-se as características área foliar, altura de planta e massa seca da parte aérea e da raiz, aos 140 dias do transplantio. Os adubos foliares proporcionaram maior crescimento em área foliar, altura e massa seca da parte aérea às mudas do abacaxizeiro, embora com resultados diferentes. Os adubos foliares não aumentaram a massa seca do sistema radicular. A bandeja de isopor apresentou as menores médias, com todos os adubos foliares para área foliar, altura e massa seca da parte aérea das mudas do abacaxizeiro. O tubete pequeno e o tubete grande apresentaram resultados semelhantes com a maioria dos adubos foliares utilizados.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the foliar fertilization with macro and micronutrients on the growth of the plantlets micropropagated of pineapple cv. Gold [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill] in different containers. The experiment was mounted in factorial arrangement 8x3, with foliar fertilization in 8 levels and containers in 3 levels, through a completely randomized design with five repetitions. The plantlets were standardized with average height of 7,12 cm. The foliar fertilization was used in the urea, potassium chloride, boric acid, a commercial formulated with macro and micronutrients and witness (pulverization with water) and the containers were: polystyrene tray with 200 cells; small tubete with 115 cm³; and big tubete with 300 cm³. The substratum used for all the containers was the plantmax hortaliças®. The foliar area characteristics, plant height and dry mass of the aerial part and of the root at 140 days after planting were evaluated. All the foliar fertilizers, in all used containers, provided larger growth in foliar area, height and dry mass of the aerial part to the plantlets of the pineapple, however with different results. The foliar fertilizers do not increase the dry mass of the radicular system. The container polystyrene tray presents the smallest averages for foliar area, height and dry mass of the aerial part of the plantlets of the pineapple with all the foliar fertilizer. The containers small tubete and big tubete present similar results in all levels of foliar fertilizers.