Bioreduction of substituted a-tetralones promoted by Daucus carota root

The bioreduction of a series of substituted a-tetralones, carried out using Daucus carota root (carrot), afforded the corresponding homochiral a-tetralols in variable conversions (9 to 90%) and excellent enantiomeric excesses. Two of the assayed a-tetralones were resistant to the bioreduction conditions. The absolute configurations of four a-tetralols were assigned as being (S), by comparison to the (S)-enantiomers obtained by kinetic resolution promoted by CALB-catalysed acetylation. Additionally, the new 5-methoxy-6-methyl-1-tetralone was synthesized in seven steps from 3-methylsalicylic acid.FAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)CNP

Electron transfer in polyaromatic hydrocarbons and molecular carbon nanostructures

Planar and curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent an interesting class of compounds with physical chemical properties particularly appealing, as good organic semiconductors and molecular model of larger carbon nano- structures. Investigation of the heterogeneous electron transfer in these systems lets to probe their electronic properties and the reactivity of the corresponding generated carbanions and carbocations that can form new bonds, thus leading to different carbon systems. A particular focus is on the intrinsically high reactivity of carbocations which induces a series of reactions building up new carbon–carbon bonds, thus allowing to enlarge the initial molecular unit into a nanostructure. This represents a new and convenient way to exploit the electro- chemically triggered reactivity into the synthesis of carbon nanostructured materials

Executive functions in children with specific learning disorders: Shedding light on a complex profile through teleassessment

Executive Functions (EFs) are high-order cognitive processes relevant to learning and adaptation and frequently impaired in children with specific learning disorders (SLDs). This study aimed to investigate EFs in children with SLD and explore the role of specific EF-related subprocesses, such as stimuli processing and processing speed. Fifty-seven SLD and 114 typically developing (TD) children, matched for gender and age, completed four tasks measuring response inhibition, interference control, shifting, and updating on a web-based teleassessment platform. The results show that SLD children performed lower in all EF tasks than TD children, regardless of stimulus type and condition. Mediation analyses suggested that differences between the SLD and TD groups are mediated by EF-related subprocesses, offering an interpretative model of EF deficits in children with SLD

Gross morphometry of the heart of the Common marmoset

  The Callithrix jacchus is a Brazilian endemic species that has been widely used asan experimental model in biomedical research. Anatomical data are necessary to support experimental studies with this species. Eleven hearts of C. jacchus from the German Primate Centre (DPZ) have been studied in order to characterize their gross morphometry and compare them with other animal models and human. Biometric data were also obtained. The mean values for morphometry of the hearts did not show any significant difference between male and female. The relative heart weight was similar to human, bovine and equine species. Considering those aspects, the C. jacchus could be used as non-human primate experimental modelfor biomedical studies on heart.

Susceptibility of Pitaya genotypes to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica: implications for nematode management in Brazil

Abstract Pitaya (Selenicereus spp., Cactaceae) has gained popularity among fruit consumers due to its distinctive flavor, shape, color, as well as vitamin C and B contents. However, recent studies have reported pitaya as a host for economically important nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne. These nematodes exhibit a wide host range and are distributed across Brazil. This study assessed the susceptibility of six pitaya genotypes (S. undatus, S. polyrhizus, S. undatus subsp. lithocarpus, S. megalanthus, S. setaceus, and S. megalanthus × S. costaricensis 'Orange') to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 20 replicates. The total numbers of eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2), as well as eggs and J2 per gram of root, were used to calculate the reproduction factor and reproduction index. Plant assessments included measurements of shoot and root fresh weights. The pitaya genotypes S. undatus, S. polyrhizus, S. undatus subsp. lithocarpus, S. megalanthus, S. setaceus, and S. megalanthus × S. costaricensis 'Orange' were classified as susceptible to M. incognita and M. javanica, as their reproduction factors exceeded 1. Further studies are necessary to identify pitaya genotypes resistant to plant-parasitic nematodes, as genetic resistance remains one of the most effective and cost-efficient strategies for nematode control in agricultural systems