The NR3C1 glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene is a component of the stress response system, which can be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. NR3C1 methylation has been associated with trauma and mental issues, including depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and personality disorders. Previous studies have reported that stressful events are involved in NR3C1 gene methylation, suggesting that its regulation under environmental effects is complex. The present study aimed to analyze associations involving stressors such as socioeconomic status, health conditions, and lifestyle in relation to NR3C1 methylation in adults. This study included 386 individual users of the Brazilian Public Unified Health System (SUS), and evaluated socioeconomic and health conditions, body mass index, cortisol levels, and lifestyle. Data were correlated with NR3C1 methylation, determined using DNA pyrosequencing. The results showed that alcohol consumption, overweight, and high cortisol levels were related to NR3C1 demethylation, while depression was related to its methylation. Habits, lifestyle, and health status may influence NR3C1 gene regulation via methylation, revealing the complexity of environmental impacts on NR3C1 methylation.

The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is one of the main pests of world coffee growing. For the purpose of monitoring the presence of this insect, colored traps and attractives have been developed. Then, the objective of this work was to determine the association between trap colors and ethanol: methanol proportions in the CBB catch, and also to determine the infestation in the coffee plantation by the H. hampei. Painted traps of red, green and colorful (red upper half + green lower half) and six volatile mixtures were used. The reference mixtures consisted of ethanol: methanol (E:M), in the proportions of 1:1 and 1:3, with addition of 0.002 and 0.004 kg of pure caffeine powder. The infestation in the coffee plantation was determined by the H. hampei number count into the fruits and the traps. The insects caught number showed significant interaction between the factors color and mixtures of volatile compounds (F 107:85 = 2.46; p < 0.05). The peaks of H. hampei infestation occurred in the stages of grain formation (January) and maturation (April). The red traps with attractive E:M 1:1 + Benzoic Acid had the most significant effects in the H. hampei catch.

Several oilseed plants have been researched for biodiesel production in Brazil, and Crambe abyssinica Hochst is one of the most promising species. The effect of the phytonematodes M. incognita race 3 and Meloidogyne javanica on C. abyssinica plants was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. A randomized block design with five nematode inoculum levels (350, 700, 1400, 2800, and 5600 eggs) and ten replications was used. C. abyssinica plants without inoculation were used as controls, and the viability of the nematodes used was tested in tomato plants inoculated with 2000 eggs. The plots consisted of pots containing one plant. The number of root knots (NG), number of egg masses (NEM), and number of eggs + second-stage juveniles (NEJ2) per root system, number of J2 per 200 cm3 of soil (NJ2), and shoot dry weight (SDW) of the inoculated C. abyssinica plants were evaluated at 45 days after inoculation. The reproduction factor (RF) of the nematodes was also evaluated. The resistance of the plants to the phytonematodes was classified using the RF criterion. Crambe abyssinica plants are susceptible to the different inoculum levels of Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita used, and the data of all nematode variables (NG, NEM, NEJ2, NJ2, and RF) were fitted by linear models.

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) presents a cryptic life cycle, which occurs all within the fruit, which makes its control a difficult task. For this reason, one of the methods that has stood out is the biological control through the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). However, the efficiency of this fungus is conditioned to environmental factors, such as ultraviolet radiation, temperature, humidity, concentration, correct application, among others. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the mortality of coffee berry borer, pre and post application of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana associated with emulsifiers under field conditions. The experiments were conducted in three farms in different locations. The fungus isolate used was the PL63, and emulsifiers (Gum arabic and X1) evaluated were gum arabic and X1 (product subject to patent). Two modes of application were performed: pre and post the coffee berry borer release. In the pre-application, the fungi were mixed in with the emulsifiers and the pure, and after thirty minutes, the coffee berry borer was released. In the post-application, it released the insects, and after 24 hours, the fungus was applied with the emulsifiers and pure. All treatments tested showed coffee berry borer mortality; the emulsifying agents (Gum and X1) in admixture with the fungus B. bassiana, did not increase the mortality of coffee berry borer; the application of the fungus B. bassiana before the entry of the drill into the coffee fruit, resulted in higher mortality.

Introduction: Psychiatric disorders have become a global problem that leads millions of people to use psychotropic medications, especially benzodiazepines. The effects of these substances are widely known regarding tolerance and chemical dependence, however, from epigenetics perspective, there are still little known. Objective: To evaluate the association between psychotropic drug use, NR3C1 gene methylation and its relation with symptoms suggestive of depression in adult individuals assisted in the public health system. Methods: 385 adult volunteers (20-59 years) users of the Brazilian Unified Health System were recruited to evaluate socioeconomic, health, lifestyle conditions in a cross sectional study. BDI-II evaluated symptoms suggestive of depression and pyrosequencing evaluated NR3C1 DNA methylation. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression model with robust variance (p < 0.05) evaluated the association between psychotropic drug use and NR3C1 gene methylation. Results: Specific depressive symptoms such as irritability, insomnia and fatigability were associated with psychotropic drug use. Symptoms of past failure, indecision and loss of appetite were associated with hypermethylation patterns in CpGs 40 to 47 of NR3C1 gene. Moreover, psychotropic drug use is associated with 50% reduction in NR3C1 gene methylation, through model adjusted with socioeconomic, health and lifestyle confounding variables. Conclusions: Psychotropic drug use and depressive symptoms was associated with changes in NR3C1 DNA methylation. In this context, epigenetic modification resulting from psychotropic drug use and depressive symptoms could be considered, mainly in population studies with epigenetic evaluation, where these factors may be influencing the findings of future studies.