Selective DMSO-induced conformational changes in proteins from Raman optical activity

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

Análise comparativa da produção e composição físico-química do leite considerando a utilização de diferentes volumosos na alimentação de vacas Girolando

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Doxycycline-Encapsulated Nanotube-Modified Dentin Adhesives

This article presents details of fabrication, biological activity (i.e., anti-matrix metalloproteinase [anti-MMP] inhibition), cytocompatibility, and bonding characteristics to dentin of a unique doxycycline (DOX)-encapsulated halloysite nanotube (HNT)-modified adhesive. We tested the hypothesis that the release of DOX from the DOX-encapsulated nanotube-modified adhesive can effectively inhibit MMP activity. We incorporated nanotubes, encapsulated or not with DOX, into the adhesive resin of a commercially available bonding system (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose [SBMP]). The following groups were tested: unmodified SBMP (control), SBMP with nanotubes (HNT), and DOX-encapsulated nanotube-modified adhesive (HNT+DOX). Changes in degree of conversion (DC) and microtensile bond strength were evaluated. Cytotoxicity was examined on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). To prove the successful encapsulation of DOX within the adhesivesbut, more important, to support the hypothesis that the HNT+DOX adhesive would release DOX at subantimicrobial levelswe tested the antimicrobial activity of synthesized adhesives and the DOX-containing eluates against Streptococcus mutans through agar diffusion assays. Anti-MMP properties were assessed via -casein cleavage assays. Increasing curing times (10, 20, 40 sec) led to increased DC values. There were no statistically significant differences (p > .05) in DC within each increasing curing time between the modified adhesives compared to SBMP. No statistically significant differences in microtensile bond strength were noted. None of the adhesives eluates were cytotoxic to the human dental pulp stem cells. A significant growth inhibition of S. mutans by direct contact illustrates successful encapsulation of DOX into the experimental adhesive. More important, DOX-containing eluates promoted inhibition of MMP-1 activity when compared to the control. Collectively, our findings provide a solid background for further testing of encapsulated MMP inhibitors into the synthesis of therapeutic adhesives that may enhance the longevity of hybrid layers and the overall clinical performance of adhesively bonded resin composite restorations.

Introdução de Lentinulaedodes (Shiitake) e Pleurotusostreatus (Shimeji) em bagaço de cana termo explodido para diminuição da toxicidade

Ethanol production has gained great prominence in the investment new renewable energy sources and Brazil is among the leaders of production. However, this activity generates large amounts of waste being the largest volume of the sugar cane bagasse. For this reason looking up ways to use this material as burning for energy production and composition of forage in the diet of ruminants, however there are difficulties to use this production for this last one. This paper proposes a microbiological treatment with Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus in order to enable the bagasse in ruminant feed composition in order to be used more noble than their burning. After treatment with the fungus, tests were performed for quantifying crude protein by the method of Kjeldhal. It was verified that the protein content in the pure bagasse was 1.0% after fermentation the protein content was 4.2% with L.edodes and 4.9% with P. ostreatus. To evaluate the protein quality of the product fermented by L. edodes and P. ostreatus was applied microbiological method for growth of Enterococcus zimogenes verifying that after fermentation the protein quality was 76 and 27.4% with L. edodes and P.ostreatus, respectively, compared with casein. The quantification of amino acids showed significant improvement of protein with altered amino acid profile with treatments of fungos. About of DQO and BOD were also found considerable improvement besides considerable drop in toxicity as measured by acute toxicity test with Daphinia similis

Análise comparativa de genes das caseínas de búfalo

Pós-graduação em Genética e Melhoramento Animal - FCAV

Production, composition and processing of milk from ewes fed soybean seeds

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

Avaliação da aplicação exógena de poliaminas no crescimento de calos de mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o efeito das poliaminas espermidina e espermina no crescimento de calos Hancornia speciosa Gomes. Calos com 0,5 cm de diâmetro foram inoculados em meio Murashige & Skoog (1962) (MS) a 50% + 100 mg L-1 de caseína hidrolisada + 200 mg L-1 de levedura de cerveja, variando os tratamentos:A: 1 mmol de espermina + 2 mg L-1 de 2,4-D (ácido 2,4 diclorofenoxiacético) + 0,5 mg L-1 de NAA (ácido naftalenoacético); B: 1 mmol de espermidina + 2 mg L-1 de 2,4-D + 0,5 mg L-1 de NAA; C: 2 mg L-1 de 2,4-D + 0,5 mg L-1 de NAA. Não houve influência das poliaminas no crescimento dos calos. observou-se, nos calos tratados com espermidina, maior concentração celular de putrescina (582,37 µg g mf-1) aos 60 dias, maior teor de espermidina (502,54 µg g mf-1) e espermina (868,53 µg g mf-1) aos 40 dias de cultivo, quando se aplicou a própria poliamina. Conclui-se que a aplicação exógena de poliaminas em Hancornia speciosa não proporciona aumento no crescimento de calos. A oxidação promovida por longos períodos de cultivo in vitro induz aumento nos níveis de putrescina.

Influência da existência de refeitório no ambiente de trabalho sobre os acidentes de trajeto

Pós-graduação em Engenharia de Produção - FEB

Efeito de diferentes gomas de mascar sobre o pH salivar de crianças

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different chewing gum brands on the salivary pH of children with primary dentition. Method: Forty children were selected and assigned to four groups: control (no chewing gum); sugarless chewing gum; chewing gum with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate; and chewing gum with xylitol. The first saliva collection was made after supervised tooth brushing for stabilization of the oral pH. Next, all children were instructed to drink slowly 100 mL of a cola-based soft drink (Coca-Cola®) and a new saliva collection was made 10 min later. Then, each group chewed on the chewing gum for 5 min and discarded it after this time. Saliva was collected again at 5, 10 and 15 min intervals after start using the chewing gum. Measurement of salivary pH was made with colorimetric test papers and a digital pH-meter. Data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at a 5% significance level. Results: The use of chewing gums accelerated the increase of salivary pH to considerably alkaline levels after consumption of an acidic beverage, especially within the first minutes. The highest levels were obtained in the groups of children that used chewing gums containing xylitol and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate. Conclusion: Children that used the chewing gums after ingestion of an acidic soft drink presented an increase in salivary pH, with the best results in the groups that used chewing gums containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and xylitol.

Legumin from chickpea: hypolipidemic effect in the liver of hypercholesterolemic rats

Purpose – This paper aims to determine the effects of 11S globulin isolated from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) on lipid metabolism in animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic diet and compared to the drug simvastatin. Design/methodology/approach – Thirty-six male Wistar rats, kept in individual cages and under appropriate conditions, were separated into groups that were fed a normal diet (STD) containing casein as protein source and according to AIN-93G; a high-cholesterol diet (HC), normal diet plus 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid and 20 per cent coconut oil; HC diet plus the isolated 11S globulin (300 mg/kg/day); and HC diet plus the simvastatin (50 mg/kg/day), both dissolved in saline and administered by gavage for 28 days. After this time, the animals were killed. Findings – The results indicated that the addition of 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid induced hypercholesterolemia in the animals without interfering with their weight gain. Analyses of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) in the plasma, and TC and TG in the liver were made. The results show that the protein isolated from chickpea, and given as a single daily dose, did not affect the levels of plasma TC and its fractions, although decreasing the TG levels. Unlike the simvastatin, the chickpea protein significantly reduced TC and TG in the liver relative to HC group. Originality/value – A single daily dose of 11S globulin from chickpea contributed as only as additional 2.8 per cent of dietary protein intake. These findings demonstrate that 11S chickpea protein acts as a functional agent in the lipid metabolism in addition to its nutritional properties.

Histomorphometric study of role of lactoferrin in atrophy of the intestinal mucosa of rats

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of oral administration of lactoferrin (Lf) in rats subjected to atrophy of the small intestine induced by a diet based on soy protein concentrate as the main protein source. We used 24 male Wistar rats aged 40 days, kept in individual cages under appropriate conditions of temperature, light and humidity. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 6); 1) group SL received soy-based food and, once a day, a supplement of 200mg/kg of Lf administered by gavage; 2) group Si received the soy feed without supplement of Lf; 3) group CL received a diet based on casein plus Lf; 4) group Ci received the casein diet without supplement of Lf. At the end of fifteen days, a 10 mm segment of the initial portion of the small intestine was sectioned and subjected to morphometry of the intestinal crypts and villi and assessment of the number and size of myofibroblasts. Comparison between groups showed that the length of the villi was similar in groups Ci and CL and higher in CL than in SL; SL than in Si, in Ci than in SL, and in Ci than in Si to Ci. The crypt depth was similar in SL and CL, SL and Ci and Ci and CL and was higher in Si than in Ci and in Si than in SL. The number of myofibroblasts was higher in SL than in CL, in SL than in Si, in CL than in Ci, and in SL than in and Ci; between Ci and Si there was no difference. The area of myofibroblasts was similar between the groups SL and CL and Si and Ci and higher in SL than in Si, and in Cl than in and Ci, and in SL than in Ci. All statistical analysis assumed significance when p < 0.05. From these results, we conclude that lactoferrin increases the number and size of the pericrypt myofibroblasts and stimulates rapidly the regeneration of atrophied villi.

Caracterização de segurança e tecnológica de bactérias acidoláticas termofílicas autóctones e aplicação em queijo parmesão

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Selection for Increased Starvation Resistance Using Drosophila melanogaster: Investigating Physiological and Life History Trait Responses to Starvation and Dietary Supplementation in the Context of an Obese Phenotype

Artificial selection for starvation resistance provided insight into the relationships between evolved physiological and life history trait responses following exposure to biologically induced stress. Investigations of alterations to body composition, metabolic rate, movement, and life history traits including development time, female egg production, and longevity in response to brief periods of starvation were conducted on genetically based starvation-resistant and control lines of Drosophila melanogaster. Analysis of the starvation-resistant lines indicated increased energy storage with increased triglyceride deposition and conversion of carbohydrates to lipid, as identified by respiratory quotient values. Correlations between reductions in metabolic rates and movement in the starvation-resistant lines, suggested the presence of an evolved physiological response resulting in energy conservation. Investigations of life history traits in the starvation-resistant lines indicated no significant differences in development time or reproduction between the selected and control lines. Measurements of longevity, however, indicated a significant reduction in starvation-resistant D. melanogaster lifespan. These results suggested that elevated lipid concentrations, similar to that observed with obesity, were correlated with premature mortality. Exposure of the starvation-resistant and control lines to diets supplemented with glucose, palmitic acid, and a 2:1 mixture of casein to albumin were used to investigate alterations in body composition, movement, and life history traits. Results obtained from this study indicated that increased sugar in the diet led to increased carbohydrate, glycogen, total sugar, trehalose, and triglyceride concentrations, while increased fat and protein in the diet resulted in increased soluble protein, carbohydrate, glycogen, total sugar, and trehalose concentrations. Examination of life history trait responses indicated reduced fecundity in females exposed to increased glucose concentrations. Increased supplementations of palmitic acid was consistently correlated with an overall reduction in lifespan in both the starvation-resistant and control Drosophila lines, while measurements of movement indicated increased female activity levels in flies exposed to diets supplemented with fat and protein. Analyses of the physiological and life history trait responses to starvation and dietary supplementation on Drosophila melanogaster used in the present study has implications for investigating the mechanisms underlying the development and persistence of human obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Protein Hydrolysates Are Avoided by Herbivores but Not by Omnivores in Two-Choice Preference Tests

Background: The negative sensory properties of casein hydrolysates (HC) often limit their usage in products intended for human consumption, despite HC being nutritious and having many functional benefits. Recent, but taxonomically limited, evidence suggests that other animals also avoid consuming HC when alternatives exist. Methodology/Principal Findings: We evaluated ingestive responses of five herbivorous species (guinea pig, mountain beaver, gopher, vole, and rabbit) and five omnivorous species (rat, coyote, house mouse, white-footed mouse, and deer mouse; N = 16–18/species) using solid foods containing 20% HC in a series of two-choice preference tests that used a nonprotein, cellulose-based alternative. Individuals were also tested with collagen hydrolysate (gelatin; GE) to determine whether it would induce similar ingestive responses to those induced by HC. Despite HC and GE having very different nutritional and sensory qualities, both hydrolysates produced similar preference score patterns. We found that the herbivores generally avoided the hydrolysates while the omnivores consumed them at similar levels to the cellulose diet or, more rarely, preferred them (HC by the white-footed mouse; GE by the rat). Follow-up preference tests pairing HC and the nutritionally equivalent intact casein (C) were performed on the three mouse species and the guinea pigs. For the mice, mean HC preference scores were lower in the HC v C compared to the HC v Cel tests, indicating that HC’s sensory qualities negatively affected its consumption. However, responses were species-specific. For the guinea pigs, repeated exposure to HC or C (4.7-h sessions; N = 10) were found to increase subsequent HC preference scores in an HC v C preference test, which was interpreted in the light of conservative foraging strategies thought to typify herbivores. Conclusions/Significance: This is the first empirical study of dietary niche-related taxonomic differences in ingestive responses to protein hydrolysates using multiple species under comparable conditions. Our results provide a basis for future work in sensory, physiological, and behavioral mechanisms of hydrolysate avoidance and on the potential use of hydrolysates for pest management.

Prediction of apparent protein digestibility of ingredients and diets by in vitro pH-stat degree of protein hydrolysis with species-specific enzymes for juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Aquafeed production faces global issues related to availability of feed ingredients. Feed manufacturers require greater flexibility in order to develop nutritional and cost-effective formulations that take into account nutrient content and availability of ingredients. The search for appropriate ingredients requires detailed screening of their potential nutritional value and variability at the industrial level. In vitro digestion of feedstuffs by enzymes extracted from the target species has been correlated with apparent protein digestibility (APD) in fish and shrimp species. The present study verified the relationship between APD and in vitro degree of protein hydrolysis (DH) with Litopenaeus vannamei hepatopancreas enzymes in several different ingredients (n = 26): blood meals, casein, corn gluten meal, crab meal, distiller`s dried grains with solubles, feather meal, fish meals, gelatin, krill meals, poultry by-product meal, soybean meals, squid meals and wheat gluten. The relationship between APD and DH was further verified in diets formulated with these ingredients at 30% inclusion into a reference diet. APD was determined in vivo (30.1 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 32.2 +/- 0.4%.) with juvenile L vannamei (9 to 12 g) after placement of test ingredients into a reference diet (35 g kg(-1) CP: 8.03 g kg(-1) lipid; 2.01 kcal g(-1)) with chromic oxide as the inert marker. In vitro DH was assessed in ingredients and diets with standardized hepatopancreas enzymes extracted from pond-reared shrimp. The DH of ingredients was determined under different assay conditions to check for the most suitable in vitro protocol for APD prediction: different batches of enzyme extracts (HPf5 or HPf6), temperatures (25 or 30 degrees C) and enzyme activity (azocasein): crude protein ratios (4 U: 80 mg CP or 4 U: 40 mg CP). DH was not affected by ingredient proximate composition. APD was significantly correlated to DH in regressions considering either ingredients or diets. The relationships between APD and DH of the ingredients could be suitably adjusted to a Rational Function (y = (a + bx)/(1 + cx + dx2), n = 26. Best in vitro APD predictions were obtained at 25 degrees C, 4 U: 80 mg CP both for ingredients (R(2) = 0.86: P = 0.001) and test diets (R(2) = 0.96; P = 0.007). The regression model including all 26 ingredients generated higher prediction residuals (i.e., predicted APD - determined APD) for corn gluten meal, feather meal. poultry by-product meal and krill flour. The remaining test ingredients presented mean prediction residuals of 3.5 points. A model including only ingredients with APD>80% showed higher prediction precision (R(2) = 0.98: P = 0.000004; n = 20) with average residual of 1.8 points. Predictive models including only ingredients from the same origin (e.g., marine-based, R(2) = 0.98; P = 0.033) also displayed low residuals. Since in vitro techniques have been usually validated through regressions against in vivo APD, the DH predictive capacity may depend on the consistency of the in vivo methodology. Regressions between APD and DH suggested a close relationship between peptide bond breakage by hepatopancreas digestive proteases and the apparent nitrogen assimilation in shrimp, and this may be a useful tool to provide rapid nutritional information. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.