Mercury concentrations in south atlantic swordfish, Xiphias gladius, Caught off the Coast of Brazil

This study evaluated the concentrations of mercury in fillets (anterior, middle, and end regions) from the swordfish, Xiphias gladius, and the relationships between mercury concentration and fish weight, as well as the region of collection. Of a total of 697 swordfish analyzed, 11 had mercury concentrations above 1 mg/kg, 421 were between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, and 265 were below 0.5 mg/kg. The anterior and posterior regions had greater concentrations of mercury than the middle region, and fish caught off the northern coast of Brazil had a higher concentration than those caught off the southern coast. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Effect of divalent metal ions on the activity and stability of β-galactosidase isolated from Kluyveromyces lactis

In this study, it was demonstrated that β-galactosidase can be deactivated and reactivated with EDTA and divalent metal ions. The enzyme was deactivated after 20 minutes in EDTA solution. Maximal deactivation at the lowest EDTA concentration (10-3 mol.L-1) occurred in the presence of Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.0). The enzyme recovered 50% of its initial activity after 10 minutes at Mg2+concentrations higher than 0.1 mmol.L-1. Experimental concentrations of 0.1 mmol.L-1 Mn2+ and 1.0 mmol.L-1 Co2+ were sufficient to reactivate the enzyme to around 300% of the control activity for the Mn2+ ion and nearly 100% for the Co2+ ion. The enzyme gradually lost its activity when the Co2+ concentration was 10-2 mol.L-1. Ni2+ and Zn2+ were unable to restore the catalytic activity. Km app and Vmax app were 1.95 ± 0.05 mmol.L-1 and 5.40 ± 0.86x10-2 mmol.min-1.mg-1, with o-NPG as substrate. Optimal temperature and pH were 34oC and 7.5. The half-life (t1/2) at 30°C was 17.5 min for the holoenzyme and 11.0 min for the apoenzyme. With respect to pH variation, the apoenzyme proved to be more sensitive than the holoenzyme. Keywords: β-galactosidase. Divalent metallic ions. Enzyme activity. Stability. RESUMO Efeito de íons metálicos divalentes na atividade e estabilidade da β-galactosidase isolada de Kluyveromyces lactis Este estudo demonstra como a β-galactosidase pode ser desativada e reativada usando EDTA e íons metálicos divalentes. A enzima foi desativada após 20 minutos na presença de EDTA. Desativação máxima para a menor concentração de EDTA (10-3 mol.L-1) ocorreu na presença do tampão Tris-HCl. A enzima recuperou 50% de sua atividade inicial após 10 minutos na presença de Mg2+ em concentrações superiores a 0,1mmol.L-1. Concentrações de 10-4 e 10-3mol.L-1 de Mn2+ e Co2+ foram suficientes para reativar a enzima em 300% comparado ao controle de íons Mn2+ e aproximadamente 100% para íons Co2+. A enzima perdeu gradualmente a sua atividade quando a concentração foi de 10-2 mol.L-1. Ni2+ e Zn2+ foram incapazes de restabelecer a atividade catalítica. Km app e Vmax app foram 1,95 ± 0,05 mmol.L-1 e 5,40 ± 0,86 x 10-2 mmol.min-1.mg-1. A temperatura e pH ótimos foram 34ºC e 7,5. A meia vida da holoenzima foi de 17,5 min a 30ºC e para a apoenzima foi de 11,0 min a 30ºC. Quanto à variação de pH, a apoenzima provou ser mais sensível que a holoenzima. Palavras-chave: β-galactosidase. Íons metálicos divalentes. Atividade enzimática. Estabilidade.

Influence of crown-to-implant ratio, retention system, restorative material, and occlusal loading on stress concentrations in single short implants

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the contributions of some prosthetic parameters such as crown-to-implant (C/I) ratio, retention system, restorative material, and occlusal loading on stress concentrations within a single posterior crown supported by a short implant. Materials and Methods: Computer-aided design software was used to create 32 finite element models of an atrophic posterior partially edentulous mandible with a single external-hexagon implant (5 mm wide × 7 mm long) in the first molar region. Finite element analysis software with a convergence analysis of 5% to mesh refinement was used to evaluate the effects of C/I ratio (1:1; 1.5:1; 2:1, or 2.5:1), prosthetic retention system (cemented or screwed), and restorative material (metal-ceramic or all ceramic). The crowns were loaded with simulated normal or traumatic occlusal forces. The maximum principal stress (σmax) for cortical and cancellous bone and von Mises stress (σvM) for the implant and abutment screw were computed and analyzed. The percent contribution of each variable to the stress concentration was calculated from the sum of squares analysis. Results: Traumatic occlusion and a high C/I ratio increased stress concentrations. The C/I ratio was responsible for 11.45% of the total stress in the cortical bone, whereas occlusal loading contributed 70.92% to the total stress in the implant. The retention system contributed 0.91% of the total stress in the cortical bone. The restorative material was responsible for only 0.09% of the total stress in the cancellous bone. Conclusion: Occlusal loading was the most important stress concentration factor in the finite element model of a single posterior crown supported by a short implant.