Construction and demolition waste as a source of PVC for recycling

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Purification, characterization, crystallization and theoretical molecular modeling of gyroxin fraction from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (Laurenti, 1768)

The venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes presents various substances, including a serine protease with thrombin-like activity, called gyroxin, that clots plasmatic fibrinogen and promote the fibrin formation. The aim of this study was to purify and structurally characterize the gyroxin enzyme from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. For isolation and purification, the following methods were employed: gel filtration on Sephadex G75 column and affinity chromatography on benzamidine Sepharose 6B; 12% SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions; N-terminal sequence analysis; cDNA cloning and expression through RT-PCR and crystallization tests. Theoretical molecular modeling was performed using bioinformatics tools based on comparative analysis of other serine proteases deposited in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) database. Protein N-terminal sequencing produced a single chain with a molecular mass of similar to 30 kDa while its full-length cDNA had 714 bp which encoded a mature protein containing 238 amino acids. Crystals were obtained from the solutions 2 and 5 of the Crystal Screen Kit (R), two and one respectively, that reveal the protein constitution of the sample. For multiple sequence alignments of gyroxin-like B2.1 with six other serine proteases obtained from snake venoms (SVSPs), the preservation of cysteine residues and their main structural elements (alpha-helices, beta-barrel and loops) was indicated. The localization of the catalytic triad in His57, Asp102 and Ser198 as well as S1 and S2 specific activity sites in Thr193 and Gli215 amino acids was pointed. The area of recognition and cleavage of fibrinogen in SVSPs for modeling gyroxin B2.1 sequence was located at Arg60, Arg72, Gln75, Arg81, Arg82, Lis85, Glu86 and Lis87 residues. Theoretical modeling of gyroxin fraction generated a classical structure consisting of two alpha-helices, two beta-barrel structures, five disulfide bridges and loops in positions 37, 60, 70, 99, 148, 174 and 218. These results provided information about the functional structure of gyroxin allowing its application in the design of new drugs.

Effect of Fusarium graminearum and infection index on germination and vigor of maize seeds

Patógenos em sementes de milho (Zea mays) causam sérios problemas, como a perda de sua capacidade germinativa. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar qual o melhor tempo para infecção das sementes de milho com Fusarium graminearum, para posterior avaliação dos danos causados pelo fungo na germinação e vigor das mesmas. As sementes foram colocadas sobre meio de BDA contendo o patógeno e incubadas por 4, 8, 16 e 32 h. Após os respectivos períodos de incubação, estas foram submetidas ao teste de sanidade (papel de filtro), com duas variações, sem e com assepsia superficial, usando hipoclorito de sódio a 1% de cloro ativo, por 3 min. Determinado o melhor tempo para infecção, outras sementes foram infetadas com o patógeno, para realização dos testes de germinação e vigor (envelhecimento acelerado e teste de frio) com uma mistura de sementes sadias (colocadas sobre o meio BDA) e sementes inoculadas, resultando em 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100% de sementes infetadas com o fungo em estudo. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o período de incubação de 32 h foi suficiente para se obter sementes infetadas. Com relação à germinação, não houve diferenças significativas entre os diferentes níveis de infecção, provavelmente devido ao alto vigor das sementes de milho testadas. Quanto aos testes de vigor, os níveis de infecção diferiram significativamente da testemunha, apesar de não terem diferido entre si.

Electrical conductivity of the seed soaking solution and soybean seedling emergence

Vigor of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] seeds can be evaluated by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of the seed soaking solution, which has shown a satisfactory relationship with field seedling emergence, but has not had aproper definition of range yet. This work studies the relationship between EC and soybean seedling emergence both in the field and laboratory conditions, using twenty two seed lots. Seed water content, standard germination and vigor (EC, accelerated aging and cold tests) were evaluated under laboratory conditions using -0.03; -0.20; -0.40 and -0.60 MPa matric potentials, and field seedling emergence was also observed. There was direct relationship between EC and field seedling emergence (FE). Under laboratory conditions, a decreasing relationship was found between EC and FE as water content in the substrate decreased, Relationships between these two parameters were also found when -0.03; -0.20 and -0.40 MPa matric potentials were used. EC tests can be used successfully to evaluate soybean seed vigor and identify lots with higher or lower field emergence potential.

Seed-borne pathogens and electrical conductivity of soybean seeds

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Electrical conductivity and soybean seedling emergence

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Silicon leaf application and physiological quality of white oat and wheat seeds

Plant nutrition can positively influence quality of seeds by improving plant tolerance to adverse climate. In this context, silicon is currently considered a micronutrient and it is beneficial to plant growth, especially Poaceaes such as white oat and wheat, thereby improving physiological quality of seeds. This study had the objective of evaluating the effects of silicon leaf application on plant tillering, silicon levels and physiological quality of white oat and wheat seeds besides establishing correlations between them. Two experiments were carried out in winter with white oat and wheat. The experimental design was the completely randomized block with eight replications. Treatments consisted of foliar application of silicon (0.8% of soluble silicon, as stabilized orthosilicic acid) and a control (with no application). Silicon levels in leaves were determined at flowering whereas the number of plants and panicles/spikes per area was counted right before harvest. Seed quality was evaluated right after harvest through mass, germination and vigor tests. Data was submitted to variance analysis and means were compared by the Tukey test at a probability level of 5%. Person's linear correlation test was performed among silicon level in plants, tillering and seed quality data. Silicon leaf application increases root and total length of white oat seedlings as an effect of higher Si level in leaves. Silicon leaf application increases mass of wheat seeds without affecting germination or vigor.

Grapevine bacterial canker in the State of São Paulo, Brazil: detection and eradication

Sintomas do cancro bacteriano da videira na variedade Red Globe foram observados em agosto de 2009 em pomar de Tupi Paulista, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, e o agente causal Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola foi identificado por meio de testes patológicos e moleculares. O procedimento de erradicação foi adotado e aproximadamente 4.700 plantas foram destruídas. Um levantamento realizado nas regiões produtoras do Estado de São Paulo não encontrou nenhum outro pomar contaminado, e essa espécie bacteriana é considerada ausente neste estado.

Molecular typing and virulence markers of Yersinia enterocolitica strains from human, animal and food origins isolated between 1968 and 2000 in Brazil

Molecular typing and virulence markers were used to evaluate the genetic profiles and virulence potential of 106 Yersinia enterocolitica strains. of these strains, 71 were bio-serotype 4/O: 3, isolated from human and animal clinical material, and 35 were of biotype 1 A or 2 and of diverse serotypes, isolated from food in Brazil between 1968 and 2000. Drug resistance was also investigated. All the strains were resistant to three or more drugs. The isolates showed a virulence-related phenotype in the aesculin, pyrazinamidase and salicin tests, except for the food isolates, only two of which were positive for these tests. For the other phenotypic virulence determinants (autoagglutination, Ca++ dependence and Congo red absorption), the strains showed a diverse behaviour. The inv, ail and ystA genes were detected in all human and animal strains, while all the food isolates were positive for inv, and 3% of them positive for ail and ystA. The presence of virF was variable in the three groups of strains. The strains were better discriminated by PFGE than by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR). A higher genomic similarity was observed among the 4/O: 3 strains, isolated from human and animal isolates, than among the food strains, with the exception of two food strains possessing the virulence genes and grouped close to the 4/O: 3 strains by ERIC-PCR. Unusually, the results revealed the virulence potential of a bio-serotype 1 A/O: 10 strain, suggesting that food contaminated with Y. enterocolitica biotype 1 A may cause infection. This also suggests that ERIC-PCR may be used as a tool to reveal clues about the virulence potential of Y. enterocolitica strains. Furthermore, the results also support the hypothesis that animals may act as reservoirs of Y. enterocolitica for human infections in Brazil, an epidemiological aspect that has not been investigated in this country, confirming data from other parts of the world.

Preparation and characterisation of Dextran-70 hydrogel for controlled release of praziquantel

Um hidrogel foi desenvolvido a partir de dextrano 70 kDa (DEX-70) e praziquantel incorporado (PZQ) como fármaco modelo. Propriedades biofarmacêuticas, como solubilidade e velocidade de dissolução, foram analisadas no desenvolvimento do hidrogel. Além disso, o hidrogel também foi caracterizado por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e calorimetria diferencial exploratória (DSC). Testes da taxa de intumescimento mostraram que o hidrogel intumesce lentamente, embora tenha sido mais rápido do que a taxa do polímero livre. Nos testes de dissolução, o hidrogel liberou o fármaco lenta e continuamente. Esta liberação lenta foi semelhante a observada nos testes de intumescimento e resultou em uma liberação controlada do fármaco. Assim, o dextrano 70 kDa é um polímero adequado para o desenvolvimento de hidrogéis como veículos para a liberação controlada de fármacos.

Weathering degradation of polyester and polypropylene geotextiles

This paper presents results of physical and mechanical tests in polyester (PET) and polypropilene (PP) nonwoven geotextiles that were exposed to weathering conditions (solar radiation, humidity, wind, rain) after some specific periods of exposure (1, 2, 3 and 4 months). ASTM D5970 and Brazilian standards (NBR) recommendation were followed in this research. Results show variations in tensile properties and in the mass per unit area. Variations in the deformations were more significant in the PP geotextile when compared to the PET geotextile.

Preparation and Characterization of Ti-15Mo Alloy used as Biomaterial

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Serum and urinary measurements of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) in dogs

Realizaram-se mensurações sérica e urinária de fosfatase ácida prostática (PAP) e antígeno prostático específico (PSA) de 20 cães. Os testes de PAP e PSA foram feitos em um equipamento automatizado, com o uso de kits comerciais para humanos. A média de PAP sérico foi de 0,7U/l e urinário 0,U/l. As médias do PSA sérico e urinário foram 0,005ng/dL e 0,004ng/dl, respectivamente. A determinação do dois biomarcadores in vivo é uma nova opção de diagnóstico na medicina veterinária e os valores obtidos devem ser correlacionados com a lesão morfológica da próstata.

Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in Brazil: report of 11 cases in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients

Background Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is an uncommon infectious disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii affecting immunosuppressed as well as immunocompetent patients. It is often misdiagnosed as it may mimic other cutaneous diseases. Materials and methods We report a series of cases diagnosed from 2005 to 2010 in two general hospitals. The diagnosis in all patients was made on the basis of histopathology and culture. Phenoloxidase and canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue tests were used in order to identify the Cryptococcus species. Systematic investigation ruled out the systemic involvement in every case. Results Eleven patients, 81.8% male, were diagnosed during this study. The immunosuppression status was identified in 54.5% of patients, and all of them were under corticosteroid therapy due to a variable set of diseases. All patients presented with circumscribed lesions on their upper limbs. Most lesions showed an infiltrative or tumoral aspect with up to 40 cm diameter. Fluconazole, up to 400 mg/daily, was the main therapeutic regimen and proved to be efficient. Conclusions Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis has been diagnosed in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. Its peculiar clinical aspect could facilitate early diagnosis. Culture and biochemical tests should be performed in order to define the species involved.

Comparison between actual and predicted postoperative stair-climbing test, walk test and spirometric values in patients undergoing lung resection

OBJETIVO: Verificar se os testes: Volume Expiratório Forçado no 1º segundo (VEF1), Teste de Caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6) e Teste de Escada (TE) se alteram proporcionalmente ao pulmão funcionante ressecado. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes candidatos a toracotomia para ressecção pulmonar. No pré-operatório (pré) e no mínimo três meses após a cirurgia (pós), realizaram espirometria, TC6 e TE. O TE foi realizado em escada com 12,16m de altura. O tempo para subir todos os degraus o mais rápido possível foi chamado tempo de escada (tTE). Os cálculos dos valores dos testes preditos para o pós-operatório (ppo) foram realizados conforme o número de segmentos funcionantes perdidos. Os valores pré, ppo e pós foram comparados entre si para cada teste. Estatística: foi utilizada a análise de variância para medidas repetidas (ANOVA), com significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 40 pacientes. A ressecção pulmonar variou desde o ganho de dois segmentos funcionantes até a perda de 9. Os valores pré, ppo e pós foram respectivamente: VEF1 -pré = 2,6±0,8L, ppo = 2,3±0,8L, pós = 2,3±0,8L (VEF1pré > VEF1ppo = VEF1pós), TC6-pré = 604±63m, ppo = 529±103m, pós = 599±74m (TC6pré = TC6pós > TC6ppo), tTE-pré = 32,9±7,6s, ppo = 37,8±12,1s, pós = 33,7±8,5s (tTEpré = tTEpós < tTEppo). CONCLUSÃO: Nas ressecções pulmonares, este grupo de pacientes perdeu função pulmonar medida através da espirometria, mas não perdeu a capacidade de exercício, medida através dos testes de escada e caminhada.