Persistence of insecticide residues in olives and olive oil

The decay rate of six insecticides (azinphos methyl, diazinon, dimethoate, methidathion, parathion methyl, and quinalphos) used to control Dacus oleae was studied. Degradation of pesticides showed pseudo-first-order kinetics with correlation coefficients ranging between -0.936 and -0.998 and half-lives between 4.3 days for dimethoate and 10.5 days for methidathion. Residues in olive oil were greater than on olives, with a maximum concentration factor of 7. Dimethoate was the only pesticide with lower residues in the oil than on the fruits. Olive washing affects pesticide residues ranging from no reduction to a 45% decrease. During 8 months of storage of the olive oil, diazinon, dimethoate, parathion methyl, and quinalphos did not show any remarkable difference, while methidathion and azinphos methyl showed a moderate decrease.

Effect of rinsing with water immediately after APF gel application on enamel demineralization in situ

This double-blind crossover in situ study evaluated the effect of rinsing with water immediately after the application of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) on enamel demineralization. APF application was followed by: no rinsing or consuming of liquids or solids for the next 30 min; immediately washing with water jet or drinking of a glass of water. All treatments showed a statistically significant decrease in enamel mineral loss compared to the control (p < 0.05), but the differences among treatments were not significant (p > 0.05). The data suggest that the recommendation of asking patients to refrain from drinking water following professional APF application does not seem to have an influence on the anticaries effect of fluoride. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Efeito da lavagem artificial na eficiência de acaricidas-ovicidas no controle de Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) em citros

The objective of this research was to test the control of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) by the hexythiazox and quinometionato products in citrus crop with and without adhesive spread and when submitted to artificial rain. The plants were sprayed at 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours. When dried, the fruits were collected (eight/plants) and half of them were washed in laboratory with artificial rainfall on the basis of 30 mm/h during 15 minutes establishing the following treatments: T1 - hexythiazox + washing; T2 - hexythiazox + agral + washing; T3 - quinometionato + washing; T4 - quinometionato + agral + washing; T5 - control + agral + washing; T6 - hexythiazox; T7 - hexythiazox + agral; T8 - quinometionato; T9 - quinometionato + agral; T10 - control + agral. Thus, all the fruits were inoculated with ten females of B. phoenicis and five days later the mites alive were counted and eliminated. Approximately 15 days later the number of larvae alive were also counted. The results obtained allowed the following conclusions: a) the acaricides were efficient to control B. phoenicis; b) the rainfall (washing) did not alter the efficiency; c) the agral did not change the results.

Effect of intraluminal distention on microvascular perfusion in the equine small colon

Objective-To determine the effect of experimental intraluminal distention on microvascular perfusion of the small colon in horses.Animals-6 mixed-breed healthy horses (mean age [+/- SD], 9.1 +/- 2 years).Procedure-Under general anesthesia, the small colon was exposed by celiotomy and 3 segments were demarcated. In 1 of these segments, intraluminal obstruction was created by placement of a latex balloon inflated to a pressure of 40 mm Hg (obstructed segment). The other segments were the sham-operated segment and the control segment. Microvascular perfusion was evaluated in the mucosal, submucosal, muscular, and serosal layers by injection of 15-mum-diameter colored microspheres into branches of the caudal mesenteric artery. Recovery of microspheres was performed by tissue digestion, washing, and centrifugation. Distribution of microspheres in the intestinal layers was evaluated by direct observation of stained frozen sections by light microscopy.Results-A significant reduction was observed in total microvascular perfusion of obstructed segments, which was 26.4% of that of control segments. This reduction was not evident in the mucosal layer.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Intraluminal distention of the equine small colon wall can promote ischemia by a reduction in microvascular perfusion in the intestinal wall. Intestinal layers do not seem to be affected to the same extent, because the absolute value for mucosal perfusion did not decrease in the obstructed segment.

Cephalosporin C production by immobilized Cephalosporium acremonium cells in a repeated batch tower bioreactor

The industrial production of antibiotics with filamentous fungi is usually carried out in conventional aerated and agitated tank fermentors. Highly viscous non-Newtonian broths are produced and a compromise must be found between convenient shear stress and adequate oxygen transfer. In this work, cephalosporin C production by bioparticles of immobilized cells of Cephalosporium acremonium ATCC 48272 was studied in a repeated batch tower bioreactor as an alternative to the conventional process. Also, gas-liquid oxygen transfer volumetric coefficients, k(L)a, were determined at various air flow-rates and alumina contents in the bioparticle. The bioparticles were composed of calcium alginate (2.0% w/w), alumina (<44 micra), cells, and water. A model describing the cell growth, cephalosporin C production, oxygen, glucose, and sucrose consumption was proposed. To describe the radial variation of oxygen concentration within the pellet, the reaction-diffusion model forecasting a dead core bioparticle was adopted. The k(L)a measurements with gel beads prepared with 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% alumina showed that a higher k(L)a value is attained with 1.5 and 2.0%. An expression relating this coefficient to particle density, liquid density, and air velocity was obtained and further utilized in the simulation of the proposed model. Batch, followed by repeated batch experiments, were accomplished by draining the spent medium, washing with saline solution, and pouring fresh medium into the bioreactor. Results showed that glucose is consumed very quickly, within 24 h, followed by sucrose consumption and cephalosporin C production. Higher productivities were attained during the second batch, as cell concentration was already high, resulting in rapid glucose consumption and an early derepression of cephalosporin C synthesizing enzymes. The model incorporated this improvement predicting higher cephalosporin C productivity. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Surface conditioning of a composite used for inlay/onlay restorations: Effect on mu TBS to resin cement

Purpose: To assess the effect of the composite surface conditioning on the microtensile bond strength of a resin cement to a composite used for inlay/onlay restorations.Materials and Methods: Forty-two blocks (6 x 6 x 4 mm) of a microfilled composite (Vita VMLC) were produced and divided into 3 groups (N = 14) by composite surface conditioning methods: Gr1 - etching with 37% phosphoric acid, washing, drying, silanization; Gr2 - air abrasion with 50-Im Al203 particles, silanization; Gr3 - chairside tribochemiCal silica coating (CoJet System), silanization. Single-Bond (one-step adhesive) was applied on the conditioned surfaces and the two resin blocks treated with the same method were cemented using RelyX ARC (dual-curing resin cement). The specimens were stored for 7 days in water at 37 degrees C and then sectioned to produce nontrimmed beam samples, which were submitted to microtensile bond strength testing (mu TBS). For statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test, = 0.05), the means of the beam samples from each luted specimen were calculated (n = 7).Results: mu TBS values (MPa) of Gr2 (62.0 +/- 3.9a) and Gr3 (60.5 +/- 7.9a) were statistically similar to each other and higher than Gr1 (38.2 +/- 8.9b). The analysis of the fractured surfaces revealed that all failures occurred at the adhesive zone.Conclusion: Conditioning methods with 50-Im Al203 or tribochemical silica coating allowed bonding between resin and composite that was statistically similar and stronger than conditioning with acid etching.

Regeneration of poly-L-lysine modified carbon electrodes in the accumulation and cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of the cromoglycate anion

Cromoglycate is accumulated on a poly-L-lysine (PLL) modified carbon electrode best from pH 4 solution, where it is anionic and the PLL is cationic, and at which pH the cromoglycate gives a good reduction peak at -0.82 V. The PLL film can be regenerated readily by washing the electrode with 3 M sodium hydroxide solution, in which the PLL is deprotonated. Regeneration of the film is not required as frequently when larger amounts of PLL are incorporated into it. This allows standard addition procedures to be carried out without regenerating the electrode. Linear calibration graphs have been obtained typically in the range 0.1 - 1.5 mug ml(-1). Detection limits have been calculated to be 10 ng ml(-1). The standard addition method has been applied satisfactorily to diluted urine solutions. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

PARTICIPATION OF MACROPHAGES IN CHLORAMPHENICOL-POTENTIATED CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED PERITONITIS IN RATS

1. We investigated the possible potentiating effect of chloramphenicol succinate (30 mg/kg, every 12 h for 4 days, ip) on the response of polymorphonuclear neutrophils to carrageenin (150 mug, ip) or dextran (100 mug, ip) in the peritoneal cavity of male Wistar rats (180-230 g; N = 12 in each group).2. Chloramphenicol potentiated the cell migration induced by carrageenin (35%) but not that induced by dextran. Previous macrophage depletion in the peritoneal cavity by washing with sterile saline abolished the cell response, whereas a previous thioglycollate-induced increase in macrophage numbers enhanced the potentiating effect (60%).3. These results suggest that the potentiating effect on polymorphonuclear neutrophil migration induced by chloramphenicol may be related to chemotactic factors released by macrophages.

Influence of temperature upon paralyzing and myotoxic effects of bothropstoxin-I on mouse neuromuscular preparations

Bothropstoxin-I (BthTX-I), from B. jararacussu venom, is a phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) homologue devoid of enzymatic activity. Besides inducing severe myonecrosis, BthTX-I promotes paralysis of both directly and indirectly evoked contractions in isolated neuromuscular preparations. We applied an experimental paradigm in order to characterize the steps involved in the toxic effects of BthTX-I on mouse neuromuscular junction. Myotoxicity was assessed by microscopic analysis of extensor digitorum longus muscles; paralyzing activity was evaluated through the recording of isolated contractions indirectly evoked in phrenic-diaphragm preparations. After 90 min at 35 degreesC, BthTX-I induced complete and irreversible paralysis, and damaged 30.3 +/- 2.7% of muscle fibers. In contrast, no effect was observed when tissues were incubated with BthTX-I at 10degreesC for 60 min and subsequently washed with toxin-free solution and maintained at 35 degreesC. These results indicate that the binding of BthTX-I to the cellular tissue surface is very weak at low temperature and that an additional factor is necessary. However, when tissues were submitted to BthTX-I (10degreesC for 60 min), and the temperature was elevated to 35 degreesC, omitting the washing step, it was observed muscle paralysis and damage in 39.04 +/- 4.2% of muscle fibers. These results indicate that a temperature-dependent step is necessary for BthTX-I to promote both its myotoxic and paralyzing activities. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Propagação de sapotizeiro (Manilkara zapota L.) por estaquia

Two sapoti tree accesses (Manilkara zapota), native plants of south of Mexico and of America Central, belonging to the Collection of Fruitful Native and Exotic of UNESP/FCAV, Jaboticabal Campus, was studied with relationship to the cutting propagation. The first test consisted of fast immersion of cutting base semi-herbaceous foliage of selected accesses FCAV-III and FCAV-VII. The ttreatments were alcoholic solution (50%) of indolbutiric acid (IBA) in concentrations of 0, 1,000, 3,000, 5,000 and 7,000 mgL(-1). and the cuttings preparing with and without latex exudate washing for a period of 14 hours in recipient with pure water. This trial was set in 5 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme (IBA concentrations x accesses x cutting preparation) The second test consisted the herbaceous foliage immersion of FCAV-III access in IBA concentrations above. Both experiments were distributed in randomized design with four replications and 10 cuttings each. All cuttings were collected in spring and prepared with about 12 cm of length, planted in medium texture vermiculite and carried under conditions intermittent mist spray flashing in chamber with 50% light. The two accesses tested not rooted and treatments were not able to induce the roots emission.

The Effects of Piece Size and Storage Temperatures on Minimally Processed 'Aurora-1' Peaches

The production of minimally processed fruit has increased significantly in the last few years due to the high nutritional value, convenience and safety of minimally processed fruit. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the conservation temperature and processing conditions on the quality and shelf-life of minimally processed peaches. The processing procedure consisted of washing, sanitization, peeling and stone removal. To remove the stone, the fruit was cut longitudinally, and three types of products were obtained, including halves, quarters and one-eighth segments. The fruit pieces were immersed in 2% ascorbic acid for 3 min and were packed in rigid polystyrene trays (Meiwa (c) M-54) coated with 14 mu m PVC film (Omnifilm (TM)) (about 200 g per pack). The pieces were stored at 65% RH at 3, 6 or 9 degrees C for 12 days, and were evaluated every four days. The appearance, fresh mass loss, color, O-2 and CO2 concentration, acidity, total soluble solids, total and soluble pectin content and ascorbic acid concentration were measured. Minimally processed peaches stored at 3 degrees C maintained higher quality due to control of ripening and senescence Moreover, an interaction effect between one-eighth segments and a temperature of 3 degrees C was observed, and fruit with a superior appearance and higher soluble solids content was obtained.

The effectiveness of educational practice in diabetic foot: a view from Brazil

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevention and self-inspection behavior of diabetic subjects with foot at ulcer risk, no previous episode, who participated in the routine visits and standardized education provided by the service and who received prescribed footwear. This evaluation was carried out using a questionnaire scoring from 0-10 (high scores reflect worse practice compliance).Results: 60 patients were studied (30 of each sex); mean age was 62 years, mean duration of the disease was 17 years. As for compliance, 90% showed a total score <= 5, only 8.7% regularly wore the footwear supplied; self foot inspection 65%, 28,3% with additional familiar inspection; creaming 77%; proper washing and drying 88%; proper cutting of toe nails 83%; no cuticle cutting 83%; routine shoe inspection 77%; no use of pumice stones or similar abrasive 70%; no barefoot walking 95%.Conclusion: the planned and multidisciplinary educational approach enabled high compliance of the ulcer prevention care needed in diabetic patients at risk for complications. In contrast, compliance observed for the use of footwear provided was extremely low, demonstrating that the issue of its acceptability should be further and carefully addressed. In countries of such vast dimensions as Brazil multidisciplinary educational approaches can and should be performed by the services providing care for patients with foot at risk for complications according to the reality of local scenarios. Furthermore, every educational program should assess the learning, results obtained and efficacy in the target population by use of an adequate evaluation system.

Prevention of experimental venous thrombosis induced by contrast medium in the rat

In order to assess experimentally the usefulness of some procedures employed in man to prevent venous thrombosis following phlebography, thrombosis was induced in rats using sodium diatrizoate in a temporarily isolated segment of a jugular vein. The prevention of thrombosis was attempted by washing out the vein with physiologic saline or saline plus heparin or by injecting saline plus heparin in the opposite jugular vein. Thrombosis occurred in all animals in the control group and in the group treated with saline alone. Both treatment schemes with heparin significantly reduced the incidence of thrombosis, the wash out with heparin being more effective than systemic heparin.

Protein synthesis studies in skeletal muscle of aging rats. II. In vitro studies with 0.5M potassium chloride washed polyribosomes

To investigate further the age-related reduction in muscle protein synthesis activity found previously using a crude polyribosome/pH 5 system (Pluskal et al., 1984), a 0.5M KCl washing procedure was utilized to remove the nonribosomal factors from polyribosomes isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats in the following age groups: young (1 to 2 months), mature (12 months), and aged (22 to 24 months). Using a common source of enriched elongation factor fraction from young animals, it was not possible to demonstrate any significant difference (p > .05) in protein synthesis between the 0.5M KCl-washed polyribosomes isolated from the various age groups. Using a cell-free system containing young salt washed polyribosomes stimulated by the addition of 0.5M KCl-wash fractions, however, it was shown that the mature and aged salt-wash fractions were less (p < .05) active than material from young animals. Thus, the observed decline in protein synthesis efficiency during aging may be attributed to a reduced capacity to promote initiation/elongation by the nonribosomal salt wash fractions of muscle polyribosomes.

Cytokine profile of Ehrlich ascites tumor treated with Bothrops jararaca venom

WE previously demonstrated that Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV) has an antitumor effect on Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells and induces an increase of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in early stages of tumor growth. It has been reported that this venom presents an important inflammatory effect when inoculated in animal models and in human snake-bites, and that cytokine levels have been detected in these cases. To evaluate whether the cytokines can be involved with the suppression of the tumoral growth, we evaluate the cytokine profile in the peritoneal cavity of mice inoculated with EAT cells and treated with BjV. Swiss mice were inoculated with EAT cells by the intraperitoneal route and treated with BjV venom (0.4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), on the 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, and 13th day. Mice were evaluated for cytokine levels on the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th and 14th day. Analysis was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the peritoneal washing supernatant. Results were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests at the 5% level of significance. We observed that EAT implantation induces IL-6 production on the 11th and 14th days of tumor growth, IL-10 on the 11th day and TNF-α on the 14th day. The treatment with BjV suppresses production of these cytokines. In addition, IL-13 was produced by animals that were inoculated only with venom on the 11th and 14th days, and by the group inoculated with EAT cells and treated with venom on the 2nd and 14th days. Furthermore, we suggest that the IL-6 detected in the present study is produced by the EAT cells and the suppression of its production could be associated with the antitumor effect of BjV.