ABSTRACT. 17-α-methyltestosterone (MT) is a synthetic hormone used in fish hatcheries to induce male monosex. Snails hold promise as possible test models to assess chemicals acting on the endocrine system. Biomphalaria glabrata is an aquatic gastropod mollusk (Pulmonata, Planorbidae) that can be easily maintained in aquaria, predisposing the species for use in ecotoxicological testing. This study evaluated the reproductive effects of MT on B. glabrata by examining histological changes and its reproductive performance. Ten snails per group were exposed for 4 weeks to different concentrations of MT (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/L). The total number of laid eggs, egg mass per group, size of type V oocytes, and production of spermatozoids were determined. Reproduction of B. glabrata was affected by MT. At the lowest concentration (0.01 mg/L), MT caused a statistically significant increase in the number of egg mass per snail compared with controls unexposed to MT. Histopathology analyses showed an increase in the sperm production at the higher MT concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L. Chromatographic analyses of water samples showed that MT concentrations rapidly declined within a 96-h period. These results highlight the importance of giving more support to regulatory authorities, since MT is not registered for use on fish hatcheries in many countries around the world. Wastewater from fish farms discharged into aquatic ecosystems should be monitored for MT residues, since its presence could compromise the reproduction of other native snail species.

ABSTRACT. The synthetic hormone, 17-α-methyltestosterone (MT), is used in fish hatcheries to induce male monosex. Androgenic effects on various fish species have been reported; however, few studies have assessed possible genotoxic effects, although there are concerns about such effects in target and non-target species. We evaluated genotoxic and gonadal effects of MT in adult tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Astyanax bimaculatus (a common native non-target fish in Brazil). Fish were fed for 28 days with ration containing MT (60 mg/L), a normal dose used in fish farming. Evaluation of MT genotoxicity was carried out through micronucleus test, nuclear abnormality, and comet assay analyses on peripheral erythrocyte cells collected by cardiac puncture. There were no significant differences in micronucleus frequencies and DNA damage in both species; however, MT caused cytogenetic toxicity in the non-target species, A. bimaculatus, with significantly increased erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities. Histopathological analyses of the female gonads of O. niloticus revealed that MT significantly inhibited the development of mature oocytes, while in A. bimaculatus it provoked Methyltestosterone's genotoxic and gonadal effects significant inhibition of spermatozoa production. We concluded that discharge of fish-hatcheries water onto the surface of aquatic ecosystems should be avoided due to risks to reproduction of native species.

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The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, causes damage at several stages of the maize crop cycle. Due to its resistance to synthetic insecticides and the high costs of pest control, there is an ever-increasing amount of research on alternative or complementary products that have a minor environmental and financial impact on agriculture. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and insecticidal potential of Ocimum gratissimum (african basil) leaves essential oil and the effect of its major component, thymol, on S. frugiperda control. Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified p-cymene, γ-terpinene, and thymol compounds as the main constituents of the oil, which presented a yield of 4.75%. Among the 30 identified compounds, thymol (33.2%) was the major constituent, representing 97.8% of the total oil. The efficacy of both the oil and thymol standard (Sigma-Aldrich) was evaluated against S. frugiperda using topical acute toxicity and contact surface tests at different concentrations. The oil was more active than thymol standard, with topical acute toxicity of LD50 at 0.020 μl/insect and LC50 at 0.171 μl/cm2 for contact surface toxicity. The oil proved to be superior to the thymol standard, offering an effective and promising alternative for the control of S. frugiperda, which is most likely due to the contribution of other oil components that acted synergistically. Consequently, this result provides an opportunity for further study and the development of an effective fall armyworm control system.

ABSTRACT. 17α-Methyltestosterone (MT) is widely used in fish hatcheries of many countries to produce male monosex populations. Its genotoxic risk to fish species is not well known and studies in other in vivo models are still inconclusive. MT was tested for genotoxicity in the fish species Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), a target species, and Astyanax bimaculatus (lambari), a native non-target species. Genotoxicity was evaluated by the micronucleus test (MN), nuclear abnormalities (NA), and comet assay using peripheral erythrocytes of both species after a 96-h exposure to MT at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/L in the water. At the lowest exposure level of 0.01 These effects were not observed in the comet assay. Chromatographic analysis of water samples collected from aquariums at the beginning and end of each experiment showed that MT was consumed during the 96-h exposure. At the highest level of exposure (1.0 mg/L), 81.69% of the hormone was consumed during the exposure period. The chromatogram showed that at the lowest concentration level of 0.01 mg/L, 99.56% MT was consumed by the end of the exposure period. Thus, exposure to MT did not cause genotoxicity in either fish species.

O parto é o momento singular na vida da gestante e a enfermagem com seu modelo assistencial e holístico, consegue colocar a mulher como protagonista do processo de parto, utilizando ferramentas como a aromaterapia. Este estudo caracterizou o conhecimento sobre a aromaterapia e do uso dos óleos essenciais (OEs) durante o trabalho de parto (TP) por meio de um questionário aplicado as enfermeiras das Maternidades Cândido Mariano e do Hospital Universitário Maria Aparecida Pedrossian (HUMAP). A partir dos resultados foi possível verificar que 100% dos profissionais conhecem a aromaterapia. Entretanto, o percentual 69,2% possuem formação técnica e conhecimento sobre os meios de diluição e aplicação dos OEs, os profissionais não fazem preferência por marca de produto, 100% utilizam o óleo essencial (OE) de lavanda e 61,5% o OE de canela nas parturientes. Assim, a aromaterapia já é uma prática regular entre os enfermeiros das instituições, porém se faz necessário a capacitação adequada, para que apliquem a prática com segurança e respaldo científico.

The genus Pouteria has been studied because it presents various activities, among which is its anti-inflammatory potential. The effects of Pouteria ramiflora Carbopol gel on the healing of skin wounds in diabetic rats were evaluated by microscopic imaging. Streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally in animals that had fasted for 12 hours, a situation confirmed by the glycemic index (˃ 240 mg dL-1). An excision on the back of the animals was performed and three groups were formed: Control (Gel), Ethanolic extract (Ext) and Gel + extract 2% (Ext+gel); the histopathological evaluation occurred on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 30th days after the post-operative period. The results of the phytochemical prospecting of P. ramiflora extract demonstrated the major presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids; the assessment of the inflammatory infiltrate on the 7th day was higher on group Ext and Ext+gel when compared to group Control; on the 14th day control and Ext (p<0.05). The quantification of fibroblasts was higher on the 7th day among the three treatments, control and Ext (p<0.05), on the 21st day. Angiogenesis showed a higher number of vessels in Ext+gel group (p<0.05) on the 7th day; in Control, Ext and Ext+gel (p<0.05) on the 14th day; and Control and Ext (p<0.05)on the 21st day. The histopathological results showed that the formulation Ext+gel was efficient in tissue reparation and decrease in inflammatory cells on the diabetic’s animals.