Silver Distribution and Release from an Antimicrobial Denture Base Resin Containing Silver Colloidal Nanoparticles

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Catch and selectivity parameters of the anastomid fish Schizodon nasutus using gillnets in the Jurumirim reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil)

Catch and selectivity parameters using gillnets were calculated for Schizodon nasutus in the Jurumirim reservoir on the Parana-panema River in southern Brazil. The simple gillnets used were made of monofilament nylon of 30 to 140 mm mesh size an of different heights. The relative abundance of the S. nasutus caught was analysed monthly and a positive relationship was found between catches per unit effort in number and biomass. The relative catches were more abundant for the nets of 40 and 50 mm, mesh size. Catches were characterized by clear temporal variations and a predominance of medium size fish throughout the study period. The selectivity curve of gillnets for S. nasutus in this ecosystem was obtained. The catch obtained was compared with the available catch for each mesh size, and the available catch for a certain length of fish was calculated starting from the theoretical selectivity curve. The 50 mm mesh size gillnet showed the best fit between real and available captures and was considered the most suitable, because a smaller mesh size resulted in a catch of predominantly immature specimens. It is expected that these results will contribute to improving management strategies for conservation of resources. Parameters such as the minimum catch length advisable or the mesh size permitted for a given species are indispensable for such decision-making.

Diel comparison of the catch and size of the shrimp artemesia longinaris (dendrobranchiata, penaeidae) in the ubatuba region, northern coast of the state of São Paulo

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

Amazon fisheries. I. - Variations in the relative abundance of tambaqui ( Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1818) based on catch and effort data of the gill-net fisheries.

Adjusted mean catches which are calculated discounting the effect of average fishing effort increase the further the lake is from Manaus, Brazil. -from Author

Circadian time-dependent effects of fencamfamine on inhibition of dopamine uptake and release in rat striatal slices

Fencamfamine (FCF) is a central stimulant that facilitates central dopaminergic transmission through inhibition of dopamine uptake and enhanced release of the transmitter. We evaluated the changes in the inhibition of uptake and the release of striatal [ 3H]-dopamine at 9:00 and 21:00 h, times corresponding to maximal and minimal behavioral responses to FCF, respectively. Adult male Wistar rats (200-250 g) maintained on a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle (lights on at 7:00 h) were used. In the behavioral experiments the rats (N = 8 for each group) received FCF (3.5 mg/kg, ip) or saline at 9:00 or 21:00 h. Fifteen minutes after treatment the duration of activity (sniffing, rearing and locomotion) was recorded for 120 min. The basal motor activity was higher (28.6 ± 4.2 vs 8.4 ± 3.5 s) after saline administration at 21:00 h than at 9:00 h. FCF at a single dose significantly enhanced the basal motor activity (38.3 ± 4.5 vs 8.4 ± 3.5 s) and increased the duration of exploratory activity (38.3 ± 4.5 vs 32.1 ± 4.6 s) during the light, but not the dark phase. Two other groups of rats (N = 6 for each group) were decapitated at 9:00 and 21:00 h and striata were dissected for dopamine uptake and relase assays. The inhibition of uptake and release of [ 3H]-dopamine were higher at 9:00 than at 21:00 h, suggesting that uptake inhibition and the release properties of FCF undergo daily variation. These data suggest that the circadian time-dependent effects of FCF might be related to a higher susceptibility of dopamine presynaptic terminals to the action of FCF during the light phase which corresponds to the rats' resting period.

Adsorption and release of micronutrients by humin extracted from peat samples

The objective of this work was to investigate the adsorption of micronutrients in humin and to verify the ability to release these elements in water. The first step was to determine the adsorption capacity of humin for several essential plant micronutrients and check the kinetic parameters. The order of adsorption was Zn < Ni < Co < Mn < Mo < Cu < Fe, whereas Zn showed maximum values of ca. 2.5 mg g-1 and Fe values of ca. 0.5 mg g-1 for systems containing 1 g of humin. Iron presented higher percentages of release (ca. 100%) and Co the lowest percentages (0.14%). The findings suggested that the use of humin enriched with micronutrients can be a promising alternative for the fertilization of agricultural soils, with the additional benefit of incorporating organic matter present in the form of humic substances into the soil and improving the agricultural productivity. © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Solubility and release modulation effect of sulfamerazine ternary complexes with cyclodextrins and meglumine

This study investigated the effect on solubility and release of ternary complexes of sulfamerazine (SMR) with beta-(beta CD), methyl-(M beta CD) and hydroxypropyl-P-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD) using meglumine (MEG) as the ternary component. The combination of MEG with M beta CD resulted the best approach, with an increased effect (29-fold) of the aqueous solubility of SMR. The mode of inclusion was supported by 2D NMR, which indicated that real ternary complexes were formed between SMR, MEG and M beta CD or HP beta CD. Solid state analysis was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), which demonstrated that different interactions occurred among SMR, MEG and M beta CD or HP beta CD in the ternary lyophilized systems. The ternary complexes with beta CD and M beta CD produced an additional retention effect on the release of SMR compared to the corresponding binary complexes, implying that they were clearly superior in terms of solubility and release modulation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved pretreatments applied to the sugarcane bagasse and release of lignin and hemicellulose from the cellulose-enriched fractions by sulfuric acid hydrolysis

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

Development of a New Container for Storage and Release of the Parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

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

Distribution of North Pacific right whales (Eubalaena japonica) as shown by 19th and 20th century whaling catch and sighting records

North Pacific right whales (Eubalaena japonica) were extensively exploited in the 19th century, and their recovery was further retarded (severely so in the eastern population) by illegal Soviet catches in the 20th century, primarily in the 1960s. Monthly plots of right whale sightings and catches from both the 19th and 20th centuries are provided, using data summarized by Scarff (1991, from the whale charts of Matthew Fontaine Maury) and Brownell et al. (2001), respectively. Right whales had an extensive offshore distribution in the 19th century, and were common in areas (such as the Gulf of Alaska and Sea of Japan) where few or no right whales occur today. Seasonal movements of right whales are apparent in the data, although to some extent these reflect survey and whaling effort. That said, these seasonal movements indicate a general northward migration in spring from lower latitudes, and major concentrations above 40°N in summer. Sightings diminished and occurred further south in autumn, and few animals were recorded anywhere in winter. These north-south migratory movements support the hypothesis of two largely discrete populations of right whales in the eastern and western North Pacific. Overall, these analyses confirm that the size and range of the right whale population is now considerably diminished in the North Pacific relative to the situation during the peak period of whaling for this species in the 19th century. For management purposes, new surveys are urgently required to establish the present distribution of this species; existing data suggest that the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, the Okhotsk Sea, the Kuril Islands and the coast of Kamchatka are the areas with the greatest likelihood of finding right whales today.

Polymeric Nanoparticles as Oral Delivery Systems for Encapsulation and Release of Polyphenolic Compounds: Impact on Quercetin Antioxidant Activity & Bioaccessibility

A delivery system containing polymeric (Eudragit) nanoparticles has been developed for encapsulation and controlled release of bioactive flavonoids (quercetin). Nanoparticles were fabricated using a solvent displacement method. Particle size, morphology, and charge were measured by light scattering, electron microscopy and zeta-potential. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) and release profiles were determined using electrochemical methods. Molecular interactions within the particle matrix were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. Antioxidant properties of free and encapsulated quercetin were analyzed by TBARS and fluorescence spectroscopy. Bioaccessibility of quercetin was evaluated using an in vitro digestion model. Relatively small (d a parts per thousand aEuro parts per thousand 370 nm) anionic polymeric nanoparticles were formed containing quercetin in a non-crystalline form (EE a parts per thousand aEuro parts per thousand 67 %). The main interaction between quercetin and Eudragit was hydrogen bonding. Encapsulated quercetin remained stable during 6 months storage and maintained its antioxidant activity. Quercetin bioaccessibility within simulated small intestinal conditions was improved by encapsulation. The knowledge obtained from this study will facilitate the rational design and fabrication of polymeric nanoparticles as oral delivery systems for encapsulation, protection, and release of bioactive compounds.

Catch and by-catch analyses of tropical tuna fishery in the Gulf of Guinea from 2010 to 2012.

Canned tuna is one of the most widespread and recognizable fish commodities in the world. Over all oceans 80% of the total tuna catches are caught by purse seine fishery and in tropical waters their target species are: yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis). Even if this fishing gear is claimed to be very selective, there are high levels of by-catch especially when operating under Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). The main problem is underestimation of by-catch data. In order to solve this problem the scientific community has developed many specific programs (e.g. Observe Program) to collect data about both target species and by-catch with observers onboard. The purposes of this study are to estimate the quantity and composition of target species and by-catch by tuna purse seiner fishery operating in tropical waters and to underline a possible seasonal variability in the by-catch ratio (tunas versus by-catch). Data were collected with the French scientific program ”Observe” on board of the French tuna purse seiner “Via Avenir” during a fishing trip in the Gulf of Guinea (C-E Atlantic) from August to September 2012. Furthermore some by-catch specimens have been sampled to obtain more information about size class composition. In order to achieve those purposes we have shared our data with the French Institute of Research for the Development (IRD), which has data collected by observers onboard in the same study area. Yellowfin tuna results to be the main specie caught in all trips considered (around 71% of the total catches) especially on free swimming schools (FSC) sets. Instead skipjack tuna is the main specie caught under FADs. Different percentages of by-catch with the two fishing modes are observed: the by-catch incidence is higher on FADs sets (96.5% of total by-catch) than on FSC sets (3.5%) and the main category of by-catch is little-tuna (73%). When pooling data for both fishing sets used in purse seine fishery the overall by-catch/catch ratio is 5%, a lower level than in other fishing gears like long-lining and trawling.

Granzyme B, a novel mediator of allergic inflammation: its induction and release in blood basophils and human asthma

Histamine, leukotriene C4, IL-4, and IL-13 are major mediators of allergy and asthma. They are all formed by basophils and are released in particularly large quantities after stimulation with IL-3. Here we show that supernatants of activated mast cells or IL-3 qualitatively change the makeup of granules of human basophils by inducing de novo synthesis of granzyme B (GzmB), without induction of other granule proteins expressed by cytotoxic lymphocytes (granzyme A, perforin). This bioactivity of IL-3 is not shared by other cytokines known to regulate the function of basophils or lymphocytes. The IL-3 effect is restricted to basophil granulocytes as no constitutive or inducible expression of GzmB is detected in eosinophils or neutrophils. GzmB is induced within 6 to 24 hours, sorted into the granule compartment, and released by exocytosis upon IgE-dependent and -independent activation. In vitro, there is a close parallelism between GzmB, IL-13, and leukotriene C4 production. In vivo, granzyme B, but not the lymphoid granule marker granzyme A, is released 18 hours after allergen challenge of asthmatic patients in strong correlation with interleukin-13. Our study demonstrates an unexpected plasticity of the granule composition of mature basophils and suggests a role of granzyme B as a novel mediator of allergic diseases.