HG 2.60-2.70

Brown sediment clasts ranging from small to large in size. Clasts range from sub-angular to sub-rounded in shape. Comet structures and grain crushing are commonly seen in this sample. Lineations and a few rotation structures can also be seen.

Produção de lipase pelo fungo Myceliophthora sp. F. 2.1.4, caracterização e imobilização da solução enzimática bruta

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia - IBILCE

Preparation of a clay-modified carbon paste electrode based on 2-thiazoline-2-thiol-hexadecylammonium sorption for the sensitive determination of mercury

A montmorillonite from Wyoming-USA was used to prepare an organo-clay complex, named 2-thiazoline-2-thiol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium-clay (TZT-HDTA-clay), for the purpose of the selective adsorption of the heavy metals ions and possible use as a chemically modified carbon paste electrode (CMCPE). Adsorption isotherms of Hg 2+, Pb 2+, Cd 2+, Cu 2+, and Zn 2+ from aqueous solutions as a function of the pH were studied at 298 K. Conditions for quantitative retention and elution were established for each metal by batch and column methods. The organo-clay complex was very selective to Hg(II) in aqueous solution in which other metals and ions were also present. The accumulation voltammetry of Hg(II) was studied at a carbon paste electrode chemically modified with this material. The mercury response was evaluated with respect to the pH, electrode composition, preconcentration time, mercury concentration, cleaning solution, possible interferences and other variables. A carbon paste electrode modified by TZT-HDTA-clay showed two peaks: one cathodic peak at about 0.0 V and an anodic peak at 0.25 V, scanning the potential from -0.2 to 0.8 V (0.05 M KNO 3 vs. Ag/AgCl). The anodic peak at 0.25 V presents excellent selectivity for Hg(II) ions in the presence of foreign ions. The detection limit was estimated as 0.1 μg L -1. The precision of determination was satisfactory for the respective concentration level. 2005 © The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry.

Heavy metal concentrations in soils from a remote oceanic island, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

This paper examines the role of parent rock, pedogenetic processes and airborne pollution in heavy metal accumulation in soils from a remote oceanic island, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. We studied five soil profiles developed from different volcanic rocks. Mineralogical composition and total concentrations of major and trace elements were determined in 43 samples. The obtained concentrations range for heavy metals were: Co: 26-261 ppm; Cu: 35-97 ppm; Cr: 350-1446 ppm; Ni: 114-691 ppm; Zn: 101-374 ppm; Hg: 2-150 ppb. The composition of soils is strongly affected by the geochemical character of the parent rock. Pedogenesis appears to be responsible for the accumulation of Zn, Co, and, to a lesser extent, of Ni and Cu, in the upper, Mn- and organic carbon-enriched horizons of the soil profiles. Pedogenic influence may also explain the relationship observed between Cr and the Fe. Hg is likely to have been added to the soil profile by long-range atmospheric transport. Its accumulation in the topsoil was further favoured by the formation of stable complexes with organic matter. Clay minerals do not appear to play an important role in the fixation of heavy metals.

Mercúrio total em cabelo de crianças de uma população costeira, Cananéia, São Paulo, Brasil

Os níveis de mercúrio (Hg) total em cabelos estão diretamente relacionados à alimentação, particularmente ao consumo de peixes por populações costeiras com grande representação caiçara. No presente estudo foram avaliados os níveis de mercúrio total em cabelos de crianças com idade entre 4 e 12 anos, pertencente a três escolas públicas da cidade de Cananéia, São Paulo, Brasil. Os resultados obtidos (mediana e intervalo) para mercúrio total foram de: 0,04mg.kg-1 (0,01-0,77mg.kg-1), 0,39mg.kg-1 (< 0,01-3,33mg.kg-1) e 0,39mg.kg-1 (< 0,01-2,81mg.kg-1) considerando as escolas ES1, ES2 e ES3, respectivamente. Em geral, os valores encontrados estiveram bem abaixo do valor preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde para uma população adulta não exposta ao mercúrio (2,0mg.kg-1). Os baixos valores observados e a inexistência de valores de referência para mercúrio total em cabelos de crianças brasileiras possibilitam a consideração desses valores como possível referência nacional em cabelos de populações costeiras, uma vez que foram obtidos em região de baixo impacto ambiental.

Total and inorganic mercury determination in fish tissue by flow injection cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A simple and reliable method for Hg determination in fish samples has been developed. Lyophilised fish tissue samples were extracted in a 25% (w/v) tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution; the extracts were then analysed by FI-CVAFS. This method can be used to determine total and inorganic Hg, using the same FI manifold. For total Hg determination, a 0.1% (w/v) KMnO(4) solution was added to the FI manifold at the sample zone, followed by the addition of a 0.5% (w/v) SnCl(2) solution, whereas inorganic Hg was determined by adding a 0.1% (w/v) L-cysteine solution followed by a 1.0% (w/v) SnCl(2) solution to the FI system. The organic fraction was determined as the difference between total and inorganic Hg. Sample preparation, reagent consumption and parameters that can influence the FI-CVAFS performance were also evaluated. The limit of detection for this method is 3.7 ng g(-1) for total Hg and 4.3 ng g(-1) for inorganic Hg. The relative standard deviation for a 1.0 mu gL(-1) CH(3)Hg standard solution (n = 20) was 1.1%, and 1.3% for a 1.0 mu gL(-1) Hg(2+) standard solution (n = 20). Accuracy was assessed by the analysis of Certified Reference Material (dogfish: DORM-2, NRCC). Recoveries of 99.1% for total Hg and 93.9% inorganic Hg were obtained. Mercury losses were not observed when sample solutions were re-analysed after a seven day period of storage at 4 degrees C.

BthMP: a new weakly hemorrhagic metalloproteinase from Bothrops moojeni snake venom

In this work, a new weakly hemorrhagic metalloproteinase (BthMP) was purified from Bothrops moojeni snake venom. This enzyme was homogeneous by native and SDS-PAGE. It showed a polypeptide chain of 23.5 kDa, pI=7.1, and N-terminal blocked. BthMP is comprised of high proteolytic activity on casein, fibrin and bovine fibrinogen, with no coagulating, esterase or phospholipase A(2) activities; it was inhibited by EDTA, EGTA and 1,10-phenanthroline and maintained its activity on pH from 7.0 to 9.0 and temperature from 5-40 degrees C. Assays with metal ions showed that Ca(2+) is an activator, whereas Zn(2+) and Hg(2+) inhibited about 50 and 80% of its activity, respectively. The edema evidenced the important role of the toxin in the inflammatory activity of the venom. BthMP also caused unclotting, and provoked histological alterations in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice inducing hemorrhage, necrosis and leukocytic infiltrate. The molecular mass and the inhibition assays suggest that the metal loproteinase BthMP belongs to class P-I of SVMPs. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biochemical properties of an extracellular beta-D-fructofuranosidase II produced by Aspergillus phoenicis under Solid-Sate Fermentation using soy bran as substrate

The filamentous fungus A. phoenicis produced high levels of beta-D-fructofuranosidase (FFase) when grown for 72 hrs under Solid-State Fermentation (SSF), using soy bran moistened with tap water (1:0.5 w/v) as substrate/carbon source. Two isoforms (I and II) were obtained, and FFase II was purified 18-fold to apparent homogeneity with 14% recovery. The native molecular mass of the glycoprotein (12% of carbohydrate content) was 158.5 kDa with two subunits of 85 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. Optima of temperature and pH were 55 degrees C and 4.5. The enzyme was stable for more than 1 hr at 50 degrees C and was also stable in a pH range from 7.0 to 8.0. FFase II retained 80% of activity after storage at 4 degrees C by 200 hrs. Dichroism analysis showed the presence of random and beta-sheet structure. A. phoenicis FFase II was activated by Mn(2+), Mg(2+) and Co(2+), and inhibited by Cu(2+), Hg(2+) and EDTA. The enzyme hydrolyzed sucrose, inulin and raffinose. K(d) and V(max) values were 18 mM and 189 U/mg protein using sucrose as substrate.

Size at birth and blood pressure in young adults: findings from a Brazilian birth cohort study

^len^lpt^aOBJETIVO: Descrever a prevalência de pressão arterial limítrofe (PAL) e hipertensão (HT) entre adultos jovens e avaliar a associação entre tamanho ao nascer e PAL/HT. MÉTODOS: Dados foram coletados do primeiro estudo brasileiro de coorte de nascimentos em Ribeirão Preto (sudeste do Brasil), iniciado em 1978/79. De 6.827 recém-nascidos de parto único hospitalar, 2.060 foram avaliados aos 23/25 anos. Foram realizadas coleta de sangue, avaliação antropométrica e obtidas informações sobre ocupação, escolaridade, hábitos de vida e doenças crônicas. Pressão arterial (PA) foi classificada em: 1) PAL: PA sistólica (PAS) ≥ 130 e < 140 mm Hg e/ou PA diastólica (PAD) ≥ 85 e < 90 mmHg; 2) HT: PAS ≥ 140 e/ou PAD ≥ 90 mm Hg. Foi aplicado modelo de regressão logística politômica. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de PAL foi de 13,5% (homens 23,2%) e a de HT, 9,5% (homens 17,7%). PAL foi independentemente associada com sexo masculino (RR 8,84; IC95%: 6,09;12,82), comprimento ao nascer ≥ 50 cm (RR 1,97; 1,04; 3,73), índice de massa corporal (IMC) ≥ 30 kg/m² (RR 3,23; 2,02; 5,15) e circunferência de cintura alterada (RR 1,61; 1,13;2,29), enquanto HT associou-se com sexo masculino (RR 15,18; 8,92;25,81), IMC ≥ 30 kg/m² (RR 3,68; 2,23;6,06), circunferência de cintura alterada (RR 2,68; 1,77;4,05) e glicemia elevada (RR 2,55; 1,27;5,10), mas não com comprimento ao nascer. CONCLUSÕES: As prevalências de PAL e HT entre os adultos jovens dessa coorte foram maiores em homens que em mulheres. Maior comprimento ao nascer foi associado com PAL, mas não com HT, enquanto peso ao nascer não foi associado com PAL ou HT. Fatores de risco do adulto explicaram a maioria dos aumentos de PAL ou HT.^les^aOBJETIVO: Describir la prevalencia de presión arterial limítrofe (PAL) e hipertensión (HT) entre adultos jóvenes y evaluar la asociación entre tamaño al nacer y PAL/HT. MÉTODOS: : Los datos fueron colectados en el primer estudio de cohorte de nacimientos brasileño en Ribeirao Preto (sureste de Brasil), iniciado en 1978/79. De 6.827 recién nacidos de parto único hospitalario, 2.060 fueron evaluados a los 23/25 años. Se realizaron colecta de sangre, evaluación antropométrica y obtenidas informaciones sobre ocupación, escolaridad, hábitos de vida y enfermedades crónicas. Presión arterial (PA) fue clasificada en: 1) PAL: PA sistólica (PAS) ≥ 130 y < 140 mm Hg y/o PA diastólica (PAD) ≥ 85 y < 90 mm Hg; 2) HT: PAS ≥ 140 y/o PAD ≥ 90 mm Hg. Se aplicó modelo de regresión logística politómica. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de PAL fue de 13,5% (hombres 23,2%) y la de HT, 9,5% (hombres 17,7%). PAL fue independientemente asociada con sexo masculino (Riesgo Relativo - RR) 8,84; 95%IC: 6,09;12,82), estatura al nacer ≥ 50 cm (RR 1,97; 1,04; 3,73), índice de masa corporal (IMC) ≥ 30 kg/m2 (RR 3,23; 2,02; 5,15) y circunferencia de cintura alterada (RR 1,61; 1,13;2,29), mientras el HT se asoció con sexo masculino (RR 15,18; 8,92;25,81), IMC ≥ 30 kg/m2 (RR 3,68; 2,23;6,06), circunferencia de cintura alterada (RR 2,68; 1,77;4,05) y glicemia elevada (RR 2,55; 1,27;5,10), pero no con estatura al nacer. CONCLUSIONES: Las prevalencias de PAL y HT entre los adultos jóvenes de la cohorte fueron mayores en hombres que en mujeres. Mayor estatura al nacer fue asociado con PAL, pero no con HT, mientras que el peso al nacer no estuvo asociado con PAL o HT. Factores de riesgo de adulto explicaron la mayoría de los aumentos de PAL o HT.

Produção de poligalacturonase, pelo termofílico Bacillus sp. e algumas de suas propriedades

A produção de poligalacturonase pelo termofílico Bacillus sp. SMIA-2, cultivado em meio líquido contendo pectina cítrica como única fonte de carbono, alcançou a sua máxima atividade enzimática em 30 horas, com níveis de 42 IU.mL-1. Entre as várias fontes orgânicas e inorgânicas de nitrogênio testadas, o sulfato de amônio foi a que proporcionou maior atividade da poligalacturonase. O aumento da concentração da pectina cítrica, no meio de cultura, acima de 0,5% não proporcionou um aumento da atividade da enzima. O microrganismo foi capaz de utilizar uma variedade de fontes de carbono, mas a atividade da poligalacturonase variou com cada fonte. Pectina de maçã foi a melhor fonte de carbono para a secreção da poligalacturonase (56 IU.mL-1), enquanto frutose e maltose não foram muito efetivas. Galactose, rafinose e glicose inibiram a síntese da enzima. Estudos sobre a caracterização da poligalacturonase revelaram que a temperatura ótima dessa enzima foi 70 ºC e que ela manteve 62 e 58% de sua atividade máxima quando incubada por 2 horas a 40 e 90 ºC, respectivamente. O pH ótimo para atividade da enzima foi 7,0. A enzima manteve 90 e 75% de sua atividade máxima quando incubada a pH 8,0 e 8,5, respectivamente, por 24 horas, à temperatura ambiente. A atividade enzimática foi estimulada pelos íons Mg2+ e Zn2+. Por outro lado, foi inibida pelos íons Cs+2, Hg+2, Li+2 e Sr+2.

Sensing hazardous metal ions using a fluoroionophore calix[4]arene species containing two 8-oxyquinoline groups

The interaction of a calix[4]arene-based species containing two 8-oxyquinoline chromophore pendants with hazardous metal ions has been investigated using optical absorption and fluorimetric techniques. In the presence of Hg(2+), Cd(2+), and Pb(2+) ions, there is only a small decrease of the calixarene absorption band at 283 nm. The main changes are associated with the absorption band of the 8-oxyquinoline group at 315 nm, undergoing a systematic bathochromic shift to above 350 nm. In addition, a systematic decrease of the oxyquinoline emission at lambda(em) = 392 nm (lambda(exc) = 315 nm) has been observed. These observations are consistent with the coordination of the metal ions to the quinoline groups attached to the calixarene ligand, providing a useful fluoroinophore species for analytical purposes.

A Single Intraoperative Sub-Tenon's Capsule Injection of Triamcinolone and Ciprofloxacin in a Controlled-Release System for Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE. To compare intraoperative injection of triamcinolone and ciprofloxacin in a controlled-release system (DuoCat) with prednisolone and ciprofloxacin eye drops after cataract surgery.METHODS. In this randomized, double-masked, controlled trial, a total of 135 patients undergoing cataract surgery were randomly allocated to two groups: 67 patients treated after surgery with prednisolone 1% and ciprofloxacin 3% eye drops four times daily (week 1), three times daily (week 2), twice daily (week 3), and once daily (week 4) and 0.3% ciprofloxacin drops four times daily (weeks 1 and 2), and 68 patients treated at the end of surgery with a sub-Tenon's injection of 25 mg triamcinolone and 2 mg ciprofloxacin in biodegradable microspheres. The patients were examined on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28. The main outcome measures were postoperative anterior chamber cell and flare, intraocular pressure (IOP), lack of anti-inflammatory response, and presence of infection.RESULTS. No significant differences were observed between the groups in anterior chamber cell (P > 0.14) and flare (P > 0.02) at any postoperative visits. The mean (99% confidence interval) differences in IOP between the prednisolone and triamcinolone groups on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 were -0.4 mm Hg (-2.1 to 1.3), 0.0 mm Hg (-1.4 to 1.3), 0.0 mm Hg (-1.1 to 1.1), -0.2 mm Hg (-1.1 to 0.8), and -0.1 mm Hg (-1.1 to 0.9), respectively. No patient had a postoperative infection.CONCLUSIONS. One injection of DuoCat had a therapeutic response and ocular tolerance that were equivalent to conventional eye drops in controlling inflammation after cataract surgery. (Clinical-Trials. gov number, NCT00431028.) (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009; 50: 3041-3047) DOI: 10.1167/iovs.08-2920

Glutaraldehyde-treated homologous vein graft as a vein substitute: experimental study in rabbits

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Xylanolytic complex from Aspergillus giganteus: production and characterization

An Aspergillus giganteus strain was isolated as an excellent producer of xylanase associated with low levels of cellulase. Optimal xylanase production was obtained in liquid VOGEL medium containing xylan as carbon source, pH 6.5 to 7.0, at 25degreesC and. under shaking at 120 rpm during 84h. Among the several carbon sources tested, higher xylanase production was verified in xylan, xylose, sugar-cane bagasse, wheat bran and corn cob cultures, respectively. Optimal conditions for activity determination were 50degreesC and pH 6.0. The xylanolytic complex of A. giganteus showed low thermal stability with T-50 of 2 h, 13 min and I min when it was incubated at 40, 50 and 60degreesC, respectively, and high stability from pH 4.5 to 10.5, with the best interval between 7.0 to 7.5. This broad range of stability in alkali pH indicates a potential applicability in some industrial processes, which require such condition. Xylanolytic activity of A. giganteus was totally inhibited by Hg+2, Cu+2 and SDS at 10 mm. The analysis of the products from the oat spelts xylan hydrolysis through thin-layer chromatography indicated endoxylanase activity, lack of debranching enzymes and P-xylosidase activity in assay conditions.

Purification and some properties of an extracellular acid protease from Aspergillus clavatus

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