GFAAS determination of mercury in muscle samples of fish from Amazon, Brazil

In the present study, a simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed for the determination of mercury concentrations in the muscle tissue of fish from the Brazilian Amazon using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) following acid mineralization of the samples in an ultrasonic cold water bath. Using copper nitrate as a chemical modifier in solution and sodium tungstate as permanent modifier, we were able to attain thermal stabilization of the mercury up to the atomisation temperature of 1600 °C in the GFAAS assay. The calculated limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.014 and 0.047 mg kg-1, respectively. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photoelectrocatalysis based on Ti/TiO2 nanotubes removes toxic properties of the azo dyes Disperse Red 1, Disperse Red 13 and Disperse Orange 1 from aqueous chloride samples

This work describes the efficiency of photoelectrocatalysis based on Ti/TiO2 nanotubes in the degradation of the azo dyes Disperse Red 1, Disperse Red 13 and Disperse Orange 1 and to remove their toxic properties, as an alternative method for the treatment of effluents and water. For this purpose, the discoloration rate, total organic carbon (TOC) removal, and genotoxic, cytotoxic and mutagenic responses were determined, using the comet, micronucleus and cytotoxicity assays in HepG2 cells and the Salmonella mutagenicity assay. In a previous study it was found that the surfactant Emulsogen could contribute to the low mineralization of the dyes (60% after 4h of treatment), which, in turn, seems to account for the mutagenicity of the products generated. Thus this surfactant was not added to the chloride medium in order to avoid this interference. The photoelectrocatalytic method presented rapid discoloration and the TOC reduction was ≥87% after 240min of treatment, showing that photoelectrocatalysis is able to mineralize the dyes tested. The method was also efficient in removing the mutagenic activity and cytotoxic effects of these three dyes. Thus it was concluded that photoelectrocatalysis was a promising method for the treatment of aqueous samples. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Magnetic field profile of a mesoscopic SQUID-shaped superconducting film

Using a genuinely tridimensional approach to the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory, we have studied the local magnetic field profile of a mesoscopic superconductor in the so-called SQUID geometry, i.e., a square with a hole at the center connected to the outside vacuum through a very thin slit. Our investigation was carried out in both the Meissner and the mixed state. We have also studied the influence of the temperature on the space distribution of the local magnetic field. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Differential arthritogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from biological samples

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common agent of septic arthritis that is a severe, rapidly progressive and destructive joint disease. Superantigens produced by S. aureus are considered the major arthritogenic factors. In this study, we compared the arthritogenic potential of five superantigen-producing staphylococcal strains.Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were intravenously infected with ATCC 19095 SEC+, N315 ST5 TSST-1+, S-70 TSST-1+, ATCC 51650 TSST-1+ and ATCC 13565 SEA+ strains. Clinical parameters as body weight, arthritis incidence and clinical score were daily evaluated. Joint histopathological analysis and spleen cytokine production were evaluated at the 14th day after infection.Results: Weight loss was observed in all infected mice. ATCC 19095 SEC+, N315 ST5 TSST-1+ and S-70 TSST-1+ were arthritogenic, being the highest scores observed in ATCC 19095 SEC+ infected mice. Intermediate and lower clinical scores were observed in N315 ST5 TSST-1+ and S-70 TSST-1+ infected mice, respectively. The ATCC 13565 SEA+ strain caused death of 85% of the animals after 48 h. Arthritis triggered by the ATCC 19095 SEC+ strain was characterized by accentuated synovial hyperplasia, inflammation, pannus formation, cartilage destruction and bone erosion. Similar joint alterations were found in N315 ST5 TSST-1+ infected mice, however they were strikingly more discrete. Only minor synovial proliferation and inflammation were triggered by the S-70 TSST-1+ strain. The lowest levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 production in response to S. aureus stimulation were found in cultures from mice infected with the less arthritogenic strains (S-70 TSST-1+ and ATCC 51650 TSST-1+). The highest production of IL-17 was detected in mice infected with the most arthritogenic strains (ATCC 19095 SEC+ and N315 ST5 TSST-1+).Conclusions: Together these results demonstrated that S. aureus strains, isolated from biological samples, were able to induce a typical septic arthritis in mice. These results also suggest that the variable arthritogenicity of these strains was, at least in part, related to their differential ability to induce IL-17 production. © 2013 Colavite-Machado et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

UV filters in water samples: Experimental design on the SPE optimization followed by GC-MS/MS analysis

Esse estudo descreve o desenvolvimento e otimização de um método de extração em fase solida (SPE) para análise dos filtros ultravioletas (UV): benzofenona-3 (BP-3), etilhexil salicilato (ES), etilhexil metoxinamato (EHMC) e octocrileno (OC) em matrizes ambientais. Um planejamento fatorial fracionário (PFF) 25-1 foi empregado na avaliação das variáveis significativas do método de extração. As condições experimentais otimizadas da avaliação estatística foram: capacidade do cartucho de 500 mL, eluente acetato de etila, metanol como solvente de lavagem (10% em água, v/v) and volume do eluente de 3 × 2 mL e pH 3. Os parâmetros analíticos avaliados foram satisfatõrios, apresentando linearidade de 100 a 4000 ng L -1, recuperaç ões para os quatro níveis de fortificação (Limite de Quantificação do Método, 200, 1000 e 2000 ng L-1) entre 62 e 107% com desvio padrão relativo menor que 14%. Os limites de quantificação foram encontrados na faixa de ng L-1, variando entre 10 e 100 ng L-1. O método proposto foi aplicado para a determinação dos quatro filtros UV em amostras de águas naturais. This study describes the development and optimization of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for analysis of ultraviolet (UV) filters, benzophenone-3 (BP-3), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), ethylhexyl salicylate (ES) and octocrylene (OC), in environmental matrices. A 25-1 fractional factorial design (FFD) was used to evaluate the significant variables for the extraction method. The optimized experimental conditions determined from the statistical evaluation were: breakthrough volume of 500 mL, eluent of ethyl acetate, wash solvent of methanol (10% in water, v/v), eluent volume of 3 × 2 mL and pH 3. The evaluated analytical parameters were satisfactory for the analytes and showed linearity between 100 and 4000 ng L-1, recoveries for four fortification levels (Method Quantification Limit, 200, 1000 and 2000 ng L-1) were between 62 and 107% with relative standard deviations less than 14%. Limits of quantification were in the ng L-1 range and were between 10 and 100 ng L-1. The proposed method was used to analyze four UV filters in natural water samples. ©2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

New voltammetry-based technique for the determination of tebuthiuron in crystal and brown sugar samples

Sugar is widely consumed worldwide and Brazil is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of this product. To guarantee proper development and productivity of sugar cane crops, it is necessary to apply large quantities of agrochemicals, especially herbicides and pesticides. The herbicide tebuthiuron (TBH) prevents pre- and post-emergence of infesting weed in sugarcane cultures. Considering that it is important to ensure food safety for the population, this paper proposes a reliable method to analyse TBH in sugar matrixes (brown and crystal) using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at bare glassy carbon electrode and investigate the electrochemical behavior of this herbicide by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Our results suggest that TBH or the product of its reaction with a supporting electrolyte is oxidized through irreversible transfer of one electron between the analyte and the working electrode, at a potential close to +1.16 V vs. Ag |AgClsat in 0.10 mol L-1 KOH as supporting electrolyte solution. Both DPV and SWV are satisfactory for the quantitative analysis of the analyte. DPV is more sensitive and selective, with detection limits of 0.902, 0.815 and 0.578 mg kg-1, and quantification limits of 0.009, 0.010 and 0.008 mg kg-1 in the absence of the matrix and in the presence of crystal and brown sugar matrix, respectively. Repeatability lay between 0.53 and 13.8%, precision ranged between 4.14 and 15.0%, and recovery remained between 84.2 and 113% in the case of DPV conducted in the absence of matrix and in the presence of the crystal sugar matrix, respectively.

Morfologia e morfometria da papila mamária em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis, L. 1758)

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

Inclusion of South American samples reveals new population structuring of the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) in the western Atlantic

ABSTRACT: Carcharhinus limbatus has a cosmopolitan distribution and marked genetic structuring, mainly because of its philopatric behavior. However, analysis of this structuring has not previously included South American populations. In the present study, we analyzed a sample of adult individuals collected on the northern coast of Brazil and compared the sequences of the mitochondrial control region with those of populations already genotyped. Relatively high haplotype diversity (12 haplotypes, genetic diversity of 0.796) was observed, similar to that in other populations but with a much larger number of private alleles. In contrast to populations studied previously, which were represented by neonates, the pronounced allelic variability found in the South American individuals may have resulted from migrations from other populations in the region that have yet to be genotyped. This population was also genetically distinct from the other Atlantic populations (Fst > 0.8), probably because of female philopatry, and apparently separated from the northwestern Atlantic group 1.39 million years ago. These findings indicate that the C. limbatus population from northern Brazil is genetically distinct from all other populations and should be considered as a different management unit for the protection of stocks.

Spectrophotometric determination of arsenic in soil samples using 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-di-ethylaminophenol (Br-PADAP)

Um novo método, simples e sensível para a determinação de arsênio em solo é proposto neste trabalho. Este método é baseado na redução de prata (I) e ferro (III) pela arsina seguida da reação de complexação do ferro (II) com o reagente espectrofotométrico 2-(5-bromo-2-piridilazo)-5-di-etilaminofenol (Br-PADAP). A determinação de arsênio apresentou uma sensitividade de Sandell de 3.1x10^-4 cm^-2, foi linear na faixa de 0.1 µg ml^-1 to 2.0 µg ml^-1 (r₅₆₀ = 0.9995), apresentou uma absortividade molar de 2.45x10⁵ l mol^-1 cm^-1 e um limite de detecção de 1.4 ng ml^-1 (3s) estes dados foram obtidos para 10 ml de amostra. A seletividade foi melhorada com o uso de EDTA com agente mascarante. O método proposto foi aplicado na determinação do arsênio na presença de outros íons e em amostras de solo. Os resultados revelaram que antimônio (III), mercúrio (II), germânio (IV), platina (IV) interferem na análise em todas as proporções analisadas. As interferências podem ser facilmente removidas pelo uso do EDTA. A precisão e a exatidão deram resultados satisfatórios, com desvio padrão relativo abaixo de 5%. As recuperações de arsênio em solo variaram de 95,55 a 102,70% com uma média de 99,63%. Estes resultados demonstraram que o método proposto é aplicável para a análise do arsênio em diferentes amostras de solo.

Molecular detection of Treponema pallidum sp. pallidum in blood samples of VDRL-seroreactive women with lethal pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective observational study in northern Brazi

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar das medidas de controle da sífilis materna e congênita estarem disponíveis no Brasil, existem dificuldades da rede em prover o diagnóstico laboratorial da infecção durante o pré-natal. O objetivo deste estudo foi confirmar a presença do Treponema pallidum pela PCR em mulheres com sorologia positiva ao VDRL e com resultado letal da gravidez, isto é, aborto, natimorto e neomorto. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo realizado em mulheres VDRL-sororeativas com resultado negativo da gravidez, admitidas na Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará FSCM-PA entre janeiro e julho de 2004. As amostras de soro e DNA de sangue total foram obtidas no mesmo período da triagem pelo VDRL. Estas amostras foram analisadas pelo ELISA IgG, FTA-Abs IgM e PCR simples (polA). RESULTADOS: Durante o período de estudo, 0,7% (36/4.912) das mulheres com resultado letal da gravidez apresentaram VDRL positivo. O genepolA foi amplificado em 72,7% (24/33) destas mulheres,com 55,6% (20/36) e 94,4% (34/36) apresentando anticorpos tipo IgG e IgM contra o T. pallidum, respectivamente. A comparação destes resultados mostrou uma diferença estatística significativa, sendo que os resultados da PCR versus FTA-Abs Ig Mmostraram-se concordantes, sugerindo que a sífilis materna era uma infecção ativa. A causa básica de morte dos conceptos não foi relatada em 97,2% (35/36) dos casos. Entre as mulheres que foram submetidas ao VDRL no pré-natal, somente quatro das nove soropositivas receberam tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: A elevada frequência de sífilis no grupo de estudo indica a fragilidade do serviço no diagnóstico, tratamento e monitoramento da infecção, comprometendo o controle epidemiológico.

Pollen spectrum of propolis samples from São Paulo State, Brazil

The pollen spectrum of propolis is a good indicative of the phytogeographical origin of the bee product and the local flora available for bee visiting. The present study aimed to perform pollen analysis of propolis produced by Apis mellifera L., in the São Paulo State, Brazil. Propolis samples were directly obtained from beekeepers and slides were prepared for qualitative and quantitative analysis of pollen after propolis extraction. According to the results twenty-eight types of pollen were found and distributed in fifteen botanical families. Pollens from Mimosoideae and Myrtaceae types were found in all samples. In São Paulo State, there is a wide variety of vegetal sources which are components of the final propolis composition.

Estimating cyclopoid copepod species richness and geographical distribution (Crustacea) across a large hydrographical basin: comparing between samples from water column (plankton) and macrophyte stands

Species richness and geographical distribution of Cyclopoida freshwater copepods were analyzed along the La Plata River basin. Ninety-six samples were taken from 24 sampling sites, twelve sites for zooplankton in open waters and twelve sites for zooplankton within macrophyte stands, including reservoirs and lotic stretches. There were, on average, three species per sample in the plankton compared to five per sample in macrophytes. Six species were exclusive to the plankton, 10 to macrophyte stands, and 17 were common to both. Only one species was found in similar proportions in plankton and macrophytes, while five species were widely found in plankton, and thirteen in macrophytes. The distinction between species from open water zooplankton and macrophytes was supported by nonmetric multidimensional analysis. There was no distinct pattern of endemicity within the basin, and double sampling contributes to this result. This lack of sub-regional faunal differentiation is in accordance with other studies that have shown that cyclopoids generally have wide geographical distribution in the Neotropics and that some species there are cosmopolitan. This contrasts with other freshwater copepods such as Calanoida and some Harpacticoida. We conclude that sampling plankton and macrophytes together provided a more accurate estimate of the richness and geographical distribution of these organisms than sampling in either one of those zones alone.

Influência de uma fenda na dinâmica de vórtices utilizando a teoria de Ginzburg-Landau dependente do temp

Pós-graduação em Ciência dos Materiais - FEIS

Molecular Identification of Nocardia Isolates from Clinical Samples and an Overview of Human Nocardiosis in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)