Mutagenicity of Blue Rayon Extracts of Fish Bile as a Biomarker in a Field Study

Blue rayon (BR) in combination with the Salmonella/microsome assay was used to evaluate the mutagenicity of fish bile samples. Specimens of Mugil curema from two sites were collected over a 1-year period. Piacaguera channel contains high concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other contaminants, while Bertioga channel was considered the reference sites in this study. Bile was extracted with BR and tested with TA98, TA100, and YG1041 strains with and without S9 in dose response experiments. PAH metabolite equivalents were analyzed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography /fluorescence. Higher mutagenic responses were observed for the contaminated site; YG1041 with S9 was the most sensitive strain/condition. Mutagenicity ranged from 3,900 to 14,000 rev./mg at the contaminated site and from 1,200 to 2,500 rev./mg of BR at the reference site. The responses of YG1041 were much higher in comparison with the TA98 indicating the presence of polycyclic compounds from the aromatic amine class that cause frameshift mutation. TA100 showed a positive mutagenic response that was enhanced following S9 treatment at both sites suggesting the presence of polycyclic compounds that require metabolic activation. benzo(a)pyrene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene metabolite equivalents were also higher in the bile of fish collected at the contaminated site. It was not possible to correlate the PAH metabolite quantities with the mutagenic potency. Thus, a combination of the Salmonella/microsome assay with YG1041 with S9 from BR bile extract seems to be an acceptable biomarker for monitoring the exposure of fish to mutagenic polycyclic compounds. Environ. Mal. Mutagen. 51:173-179, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Preliminary Findings on the Effects of Occupational Exposure to Mercury Vapor Below Safety Levels on Visual and Neuropsychological Functions

Objective: To evaluate whether there are visual and neurophysical decrements in workers with low exposure to Hg vapor. Methods: Visual fields, contrast sensitivity, color vision, and neuropsychological functions were measured in 10 workers (32.5 +/- 8.5 years) chronically exposed to Hg vapor (4.3 +/- 2.8 years; urinary Hg concentration 22.3 +/- 9.3 mu g/g creatinine). Results: For the worst eyes, we found altered visual field thresholds, lower contrast sensitivity, and color discrimination compared with controls (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between Hg-exposed subjects and controls on. neuropsychological tests. Nevertheless, duration of exposure was statistically correlated to verbal memory and depression scores. Conclusions: Chronic exposure to Hg vapor at currently accepted safety levels was found to be associated with visual losses but not with neuropsychological dysfunctions in the sample of workers studied. (J Occup Environ Med. 2009,51:1403-1412)

Oral glands in dipsadine ""goo-eater"" snakes: Morphology and histochemistry of the infralabial glands in Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas indica, and Sibynomorphus mikanii

Although snake infralabial glands are generally constituted of mucous cells, among dipsadines, they are much more developed and predominantly serous in nature, possibly due to the peculiar feeding habits of some species of this group, the ""goo-eaters"", which feed on soft and viscous invertebrates. We compared the morphology and histochemistry of the infralabial glands of three goo-eater species of Southeast Brazil, Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas indica and Sibynomorphus mikanii. In A. reticulatus the glands are formed by mixed acini composed of mucous and seromucous cells and in D. indica, they are composed of mucous tubules and seromucous acini. In S. mikanii the glands are organized in seromucous acini; mucous cells are restricted to the gland anterior region and to the duct lining epithelium. Ultrastructurally, secretory granule electron density varies from low to moderate, depending on their mucous or seromucous nature. The results indicate a large morphological and histochemical variation in the infralabial glands, probably reflecting differences in the secretion chemical composition and in feeding specialization among the three species. The protein content in the secretory cells can be related with the presence of toxins that can be used in chemical prey immobilization or detaching of snails from their shells. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Red Mud from Brazil: Thermal Behavior and Physical Properties

The main constituents of red mud produced in Aluminio city (S.P., Brazil) are iron, aluminum, and silicon oxides. It has been determined that the average particle diameter for this red mud is between 0.05 and 0.002 mm. It is observed that a decrease in the percentage of smaller particles occurs at temperatures greater than 400 degrees C. This observation corresponds with the thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, which illustrate the phase transition of goethite to hematite. A 10% mass loss is observed in the thermal analysis patterns due to the hydroxide-oxide phase transitions of iron (primary phase transition) and aluminum (to a lesser extent). The disappearance and appearance of the different phases of iron and aluminum confirms the decomposition reactions proposed by the thermal analysis data. This Brazilian red mud has been classified as mesoporous at all temperatures except between 400 and 500 degrees C where the classification changes to micro/mesoporous.

Use of Gas Diffusion Electrode for the In Situ Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide in an Electrochemical Flow-By Reactor

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidant that finds application in several areas, but most particularly in the treatment of industrial wastewaters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of applied potential and electrolyte flow conditions on the in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide in an electrochemical flow-by reactor with a gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The electrolyses were performed in an aqueous acidic medium using a GDE constructed with conductive black graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene (80:20 w/w). Under laminar flow conditions (flow rate = 50 L/h), hydrogen peroxide was formed in a maximum yield of 414 mg/L after 2 h at -2.25 V vs Pt //Ag/AgCl (global rate constant = 3.1 mg/(L min); energy consumption = 22.1 kWh/kg). Under turbulent flow (300 L/h), the maximum yield obtained was 294 mg/L after 2 h at -1.75 V vs Pt//Ag/AgCl (global rate constant = 2.5 mg/ (L min); energy consumption = 30.1 kWh/kg).

TNF blockers show distinct patterns of immune response to the pandemic influenza A H1N1 vaccine in inflammatory arthritis patients

Methods. One hundred and twenty patients (RA, n = 41; AS, n = 57; PsA, n = 22) on anti-TNF agents (monoclonal, n = 94; soluble receptor, n = 26) were compared with 116 inflammatory arthritis patients under DMARDs and 117 healthy controls. Seroprotection, seroconversion (SC), geometric mean titre, factor increase in geometric mean titre and adverse events were evaluated 21 days after vaccination. Results. After immunization, SC rates (58.2% vs 74.3%, P = 0.017) were significantly lower in SpA patients receiving anti-TNF therapy, whereas no difference was observed in RA patients receiving this therapy compared with healthy controls (P = 0.067). SpA patients receiving mAbs (infliximab/adalimumab) had a significantly lower SC rate compared with healthy controls (51.6% vs 74.3%, P = 0.002) or those on DMARDs (51.6% vs 74.7%, P = 0.005), whereas no difference was observed for patients on etanercept (86.7% vs 74.3%, P = 0.091). Further analysis of non-seroconverting and seroconverting SpA patients revealed that the former group had a higher mean age (P = 0.003), a higher frequency of anti-TNF (P = 0.031) and mAbs (P = 0.001) and a lower frequency of MTX (P = 0.028). In multivariate logistic regression, only older age (P = 0.015) and mAb treatment (P = 0.023) remained significant factors for non-SC in SpA patients. Conclusion. This study revealed a distinct disease pattern of immune response to the pandemic influenza vaccine in inflammatory arthritis patients receiving anti-TNF agents, illustrated by a reduced immunogenicity solely in SpA patients using mAbs. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="www.clinicaltrials.gov" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01151644.

Influenza A/H1N1 vaccination of patients with SLE: can antimalarial drugs restore diminished response under immunosuppressive therapy?

Objective. To assess the efficacy and safety of pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) in SLE under different therapeutic regimens. Methods. A total of 555 SLE patients and 170 healthy controls were vaccinated with a single dose of a non-adjuvanted preparation. According to current therapy, patients were initially classified as SLE No Therapy (n = 75) and SLE with Therapy (n = 480). Subsequent evaluations included groups under monotherapy: chloroquine (CQ) (n = 105), prednisone (PRED) epsilon 20 mg (n = 76), immunosuppressor (IS) (n = 95) and those with a combination of these drugs. Anti-H1N1 titres and seroconversion (SC) rate were evaluated at entry and 21 days post-vaccination. Results. The SLE with Therapy group had lower SC compared with healthy controls (59.0 vs 80.0%; P < 0.0001), whereas the SLE No Therapy group had equivalent SC (72 vs 80.0%; P = 0.18) compared with healthy controls. Further comparison revealed that the SC of SLE No Therapy (72%) was similar to the CQ group (69.5%; P = 0.75), but it was significantly reduced in PRED epsilon 20 mg (53.9%; P = 0.028), IS (55.7%; P = 0.035) and PRED epsilon 20 mg + IS (45.4%; P = 0.038). The concomitant use of CQ in each of these later regimens was associated with SC responses comparable with SLE No Therapy group (72%): PRED epsilon 20 mg + CQ (71.4%; P = 1.00), IS + CQ (65.2%; P = 0.54) and PRED epsilon 20 mg + IS + CQ (57.4%; P = 0.09). Conclusion. Pandemic influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine response is diminished in SLE under immunosuppressive therapy and antimalarials seems to restore this immunogenicity.

Pentraxin 3 accelerates lung injury in high tidal volume ventilation in mice

Mechanical ventilation is the major cause of iatrogenic lung damage in intensive care units. Although inflammation is known to be involved in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), several aspects of this process are still unknown. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute phase protein with important regulatory functions in inflammation which has been found elevated in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study aimed at investigating the direct effect of PTX3 production in the pathogenesis of VILI. Genetically modified mice deficient and that over express murine Ptx3 gene were subjected to high tidal volume ventilation (V-T = 45 mL/kg, PEEPzero). Morphological changes and time required for 50% increase in respiratory system elastance were evaluated. Gene expression profile in the lungs was also investigated in earlier times in Ptx3-overexpressing mice. Ptx3 knockout and wild-type mice developed same lung injury degree in similar times (156 +/- 42 min and 148 +/- 41 min, respectively: p = 0.8173). However, Ptx3 overexpression led to a faster development of VILI in Ptx3-overexpressing mice (77 +/- 29 min vs 118 +/- 41 min, p = 0.0225) which also displayed a faster kinetics of Il1b expression and elevated Ptx3, Cxcl1 and Ccl2 transcripts levels in comparison with wild-type mice assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Ptx3 deficiency did not impacted the time for VILI induced by high tidal volume ventilation but Ptx3-overexpression increased inflammatory response and reflected in a faster VILI development. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of Carbon Nanomaterials through Up-Cycling Agricultural and Municipal Solid Wastes

This work addresses the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) by up-cycling common solid wastes. These feedstocks could supersede the use of costly and often toxic or highly flammable chemicals, such as hydrocarbon gases, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen, which are commonly used as feedstocks in current nanomanufacturing processes for CNMs. Agricultural sugar cane bagasse and corn residues, scrap tire chips, and postconsumer polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle shreddings were either thermally treated by sole pyrolysis or by sequential pyrolysis and partial oxidation. The resulting gaseous carbon-bearing effluents were then channeled into a heated reactor. CNMs, including carbon nanotubes, were catalytically synthesized therein on stainless steel meshes. This work revealed that the structure of the resulting CNMs is determined by the feedstock type, through the disparate mixtures of carbon-bearing gases generated when different feedstocks are pyrolyzed. CNM characterization was conducted by scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as by Raman spectroscopy and by thermogravimetric analysis. Gas chromatography was used to characterize the gases in the synthesis chamber. This work demonstrated an alternative method for efficient manufacturing of CNMs using both biodegradable and nonbiodegradable agricultural and municipal carbonaceous wastes.

Spectroscopic and Catalytic Characterization of a Functional (FeFeII)-Fe-III Biomimetic for the Active Site of Uteroferrin and Protein Cleavage

A mixed-valence complex, [Fe(III)Fe(II)L1(mu-OAc)(2)]BF4 center dot H2O, where the ligand H(2)L1 = 2-{[[3-[((bis-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl)-2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl](pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl]phenol}, has been studied with a range of techniques, and, where possible, its properties have been compared to those of the corresponding enzyme system purple acid phosphatase. The (FeFeII)-Fe-III and Fe-2(III) oxidized species were studied spectroelectrochemically. The temperature-dependent population of the S = 3/2 spin states of the heterovalent system, observed using magnetic circular dichroism, confirmed that the dinuclear center is weakly antiferromagnetically coupled (H = -2JS(1).S-2, where J = -5.6 cm(-1)) in a frozen solution. The ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transitions are correlated with density functional theory calculations. The (FeFeII)-Fe-III complex is electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-silent, except at very low temperatures (<2 K), because of the broadening caused by the exchange coupling and zero-field-splitting parameters being of comparable magnitude and rapid spin-lattice relaxation. However, a phosphate-bound Fe-2(III) complex showed an EPR spectrum due to population of the S-tot = 3 state (J= -3.5 cm(-1)). The phosphatase activity of the (FeFeII)-Fe-III complex in hydrolysis of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate (k(cat.) = 1.88 x 10(-3) s(-1); K-m = 4.63 x 10(-3) mol L-1) is similar to that of other bimetallic heterovalent complexes with the same ligand. Analysis of the kinetic data supports a mechanism where the initiating nucleophile in the phosphatase reaction is a hydroxide, terminally bound to Fe-III. It is interesting to note that aqueous solutions of [Fe(III)Fe(II)L1(mu-OAc)(2)](+) are also capable of protein cleavage, at mild temperature and pH conditions, thus further expanding the scope of this complex's catalytic promiscuity.

Collection of Pollen Grains by Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith (Apidae: Centridini): Is C. tarsata an Oligolectic or Polylectic Species?

Lia Goncalves, Claudia Ines da Silva, and Maria Luisa Tunes Buschini (2012) Collection of pollen grains by Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith (Apidae: Centridini): Is C. tarsata an oligolectic or polylectic species? Zoological Studies 51(2): 195-203. Among pollinator species, bees play a prominent role in maintaining biodiversity because they are responsible, on average, for 80% of angiosperm pollination in tropical regions. The species richness of the bee genus Centris is high in South America. In Brazil, these bees occur in many types of ecosystems. Centris tarsata is an endemic species occurring only in Brazil. No previous studies considered interactions between plants and this bee species in southern Brazil, where it is the most abundant trap-nesting bee. Accordingly, the goals of this study were to investigate plants used by this species for its larval food supply and determine if this bee is polylectic or oligolectic in this region. This work was conducted in the Parque Municipal das Araucarias, Guarapuava (PR), southern Brazil, from Mar. 2002 to Dec. 2003. Samples of pollen were collected from nests of these bees and from flowering plants in grassland and swamp areas where the nests were built. All of the samples were treated with acetolysis to obtain permanent slides. The family Solanaceae was visited most often (71%). Solanum americanum Mill. (28.6%) and Sol. variabile Mart. (42.4%) were the primary pollen sources for C. tarsata in the study area. We found that although C. tarsata visited 20 species of plants, it preferred Solanum species with poricidal anthers and pollen grains with high protein levels. This selective behavior by females of C. tarsata indicates that these bees are oligolectic in their larval provisioning in this region of southern Brazil. http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/51.2/195.pdf

Development and Evaluation of a Pseudoreference Pt//Ag/AgCl Electrode for Electrochemical Systems

The use of standard reference electrodes, such as Ag/AgCl or saturated calomel electrodes, in potentiometric and amperometric studies involving miniaturized electrochemical systems, or those operating under positive hydraulic pressure, is often impractical. Placement of the reference electrode in the direct vicinity of the working electrode is often prohibited by the dimensions or layout of the electrochemical cell, while the alternative strategy of locating the reference electrode in a separate compartment often leads to electrolyte leakage and contamination of the system. In the present study, we have investigated the functionality of a pseudoreference electrode comprising a platinum wire, one end of which was maintained in intimate contact with the internal solution of an Ag/AgCl reference electrode while the other was connected, via a BNC connector, to a platinum probe located within the electrochemical cell. Linear and cyclic voltammetric studies, involving both aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes, were carried out using the pseudoreference electrode and an electrochemical cup-type cell with three electrodes or an electrochemical flow reactor. In all cases, the functionality of the Pt//Ag/AgCl system was similar to that of a conventional Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Variations in the electrolyte did not alter the potential or voltammetric profile recorded when using the pseudoreference system, although peak currents were generally improved and potential values shifted by approximately +350 mV in comparison with the Ag/AgCl electrode, therefore, the system pseudoreference can be applied in any electrochemical system due to the constant potential difference. It is concluded that the pseudoreference electrode can be used with advantage to obtain potentiometric and amperometric measurements in both simple and complex electrochemical systems.

Chemical Modifications in Styrene-Butadiene Rubber after Microwave Devulcanization

Microwave devulcanization has been studied as a method for elastomer recycling, which is based on the conversion of the reticulated and infusible structure of thermosetting rubbers in free polymeric chains able to be remolded by thermomechanical processing in recycling operations for the manufacture of other products. Elastomeric wastes are often irregularly discarded in nature, producing serious environmental damage, and their mechanical recycling is still considered a challenge. Thus, the development of alternatives for elastomer recycling is directly related to the actions of sustainable development and economic benefits to companies that pay to discard their wastes. The aim of this work is to evaluate the chemical modifications occurring in styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) after microwave devulcanization. Compounds of SBR were vulcanized in the presence of vulcanization agents and variable amounts of carbon black, and then the rubbers were milled and submitted to microwave treatment. Only the SBR with high carbon black content shows some portion of devulcanized material. However, the rubber with lower content of carbon black which was devulcanized by microwave radiation shows an increase in cross-link density. The microwave treatment also causes cross-link breaks mainly in polysulfidic bonds as well as decomposition of chemical groups containing sulfur attached to the chemical structure of SBR, while. the chemical bonds of higher energy such as monosulfidic bonds remain preserved. The improvement of the microwave method for rubber devulcanization represents a way for viable recycling of thermosetting rubbers.

Validation of the Duke Religion Index: DUREL (Portuguese Version)

The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Duke Religion Index (PDUREL) in a community setting. PDUREL was translated and adapted for administration to 383 individuals from a population-based study of low-income community-dwelling adults. The PDUREL intrinsic subscale and total scores demonstrated high internal consistency (alphas ranging from 0.733 for the total scale score to 0.758 for the intrinsic subscale). Correlations among the DUREL subscales were also examined for evidence of discriminant validity. Correlations were ranging from 0.36 to 0.46, indicating significant overlap between the scales without marked redundancy. PDUREL is a reliable and valid scale. The availability of a comprehensive, but brief measure of religiousness can help to study the role of religiousness in health by researchers from countries that speak the Portuguese language.

Ear and electrode effects reduce within-group variability in middle latency response amplitude measures

Objectives: To establish normative amplitude values for relative difference measurements of the middle latency response (MLR) in normal-hearing pediatrics and to determine if these measurements provided a significant reduction of within-group variability when compared to raw, absolute amplitude measures. A relative amplitude difference is defined in the present paper as the difference in Na-Pa amplitude between two electrodes (e.g. vertical bar Na-Pa at C3 minus Na-Pa at C4 vertical bar, or electrode effects) or between two ears (e.g. vertical bar Na-Pa on left ear stimulation minus Na-Pa on right ear stimulation vertical bar, or ear effects). In contrast, an absolute amplitude is defined as a single Na-Pa measurement made at one electrode for stimulation of one ear (e.g. Na-Pa measured at C3 on left ear stimulation). Design: Cross-sectional study. Study sample: 155 pediatrics with normal peripheral and central hearing, and no history of psychological, neurological, or learning disability issues. Results: Within-group variability was significantly smaller for relative differences when compared to absolute amplitude measures. Electrode effects showed significantly less variability than ear effects. Normative values for ear and electrode effects were reported. Conclusions: Relative differences may provide better utility in the clinical diagnosis of central auditory pathology in pediatrics when compared to absolute amplitude measures because these difference measures show significantly lower variability when examined across subjects.