Catalytic mechanism of inulinase from Arthrobacter sp S37

Detailed catalytic roles of the conserved Glu323, Asp460, and Glu519 of Arthrobacter sp. S37 inulinase (EnIA), a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 32, were investigated by site-directed mutagenesis and pH-dependence studies of the enzyme efficiency and homology modeling were carried out for EnIA and for D460E mutant. The enzyme efficiency (k(cat)/K-m) of the E323A and E519A mutants was significantly lower than that of the wild-type due to a substantial decrease in k(cat), but not due to variations in K-m, consistent with their putative roles as nucleophile and acid/base catalyst, respectively. The D460A mutant was totally inactive, whereas the D460E and D460N mutants were active to some extent, revealing Asp460 as a catalytic residue and demonstrating that the presence of a carboxylate group in this position is a prerequisite for catalysis. The pH-dependence studies indicated that the pK(a) of the acid/base catalyst decreased from 9.2 for the wild-type enzyme to 7.0 for the D460E mutant, implicating Asp460 as the residue that interacts with the acid/base catalyst Glu519 and elevates its pK(a). Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulation of the wild-type enzyme and the D460E mutant shed light on the structural roles of Glu323, Asp460, and Glu519 in the catalytic activity of the enzyme. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

CHRONOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BRAZILIAN GLYPTODON SP REMAINS: A DIRECT (14)C DATE FOR A SPECIMEN FROM IPORANGA, SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Glyptodon sp. fossil remains can be found throughout Brazil. However, little information is available about their chronological distribution. With the intention to contribute to this issue, we present, as far as we know, the first direct radiocarbon date for 1 specimen of this genus found in Brazil. The osteoderm MZSP-PV660 found in Abismo do Fossil Cave (SP-145), Iporanga, Sao Paulo, Brazil, was dated by accelerator mass spectrometry at the Beta Analytic Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory. The (14)C date obtained was between 20,680 and 21,370 calibrated years before the present. Unfortunately, the scant (and often imprecise or unreliable) chronological data regarding this species and genus in Brazil and elsewhere in South America precludes a robust comparison among the dates available and the one presented here. Nevertheless, our finding supports the existence of this genus in South America at least until the Last Glacial Maximum.

Fluoride in the groundwater of the Tubarao and Crystaline aquifers, Salto-Indaiatuba region (SP)

Anomalous concentrations of fluoride in groundwater were identified in 19 drilling wells in the Salto-Indaiatuba region, Sao Paulo State, with an average concentration of 3.03 mg dm(-3) and a maximum of 6.95 mg dm(-3), which constitute a restriction for the water`s usage in terms of human consumption. The wells exploit water from the Tubarao Aquifer (sedimentary, granular) and Crystalline Aquifer (granitic, fractured), used for sanitary or industrial purposes. These groundwaters are typically HCO(3) and HCO(3)-SO(4) types, with high concentrations of HCO(3) -and Na(+) and high pH-values between 7.5 and 10.0. The highest concentrations of F-are associated to the Tubarao and Tubarao/Crystalline aquifer drilling wells. The presence of F-in groundwater is controlled by these high pH-values, alkalinity, and fluorine availability. The source of fluoride in the Tubarao and Crystalline Aquifers can be related to the percolation of hydrothermal fluids associated with Mesozoic lava flow, emplaced due to the opening of Atlantic Ocean and/or hydrolysis of fluorine-rich minerals and clay minerals.

Neopaleozoic striated surfaces in the granitic basement and clast pavement remains of Salto, SP

Near Guarau Ceramic, localized southwest of Salto city in the State of Sao Paulo, two granite outcrops, distant some tens of meters from each other, display Neopaleozoic striated surfaces. These surfaces are in contact with diamictites from the Itarare Subgroup. The striae correspond to sub parallel grooves with millimetric spacing and depth, oriented about N48E and dipping 12 degrees to 42 degrees towards SE. Observed features and association with diamictites indicate an origin by glacial abrasion due to ice movement from southeast towards northwest. About 1.8 km east of Salto, unconsolidated material containing flat-iron-shaped and striated clasts was found on top of granite outcrops, interpreted as clasts pavement remains.

Cearania heterophylla gen. nov et sp nov., a fossil gymnosperm with affinities to the Gnetales from the Early Cretaceous of northern Gondwana

Vegetative and fertile shoots of a shrub-like seed plant from the late Aptian Crato Formation of Brazil are described as Cearania heterophylla Kunzmann, Mohr and Bernardes-de-Oliveira, gen. nov. et sp. nov. Anatomical details of the axes, epidermal features and separate ovulate and pollen producing organs indicate the gymnospermous nature of this plant. The vascular tissue of the axes includes tracheids with bordered pits and fiber tracheids. Vegetative shoots comprising at least three branching orders bear opposite-decussately arranged ovate to lanceolate, dorsiventrally flattened, parallelodromous, rather thick leaves that vary tremendously in size. The amphistomatic leaves bear (brachy-)paracytic stomatal complexes arranged in simple longitudinal files. The ovulate structure is interpreted as a terminally attached single globular ovule/seed surrounded by at least five to six lanceolate bracts. A terminally attached pollen-cone like structure grows on a lateral leafy shoot. The unusual character combination may indicate that the fossils belong to a hitherto unknown group with affinities to ephedroid Gnetales. Sterile shoots formerly often described as Podozamites, Nageiopsis or Lilites that are at least partly congeneric with C. heterophylla Kunzmann, Mohr and Bernardes-de-Oliveira, gen. nov. et sp. nov. had a wide geographic distribution during the Early Cretaceous. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structure and Calcium-Binding Activity of LipL32, the Major Surface Antigen of Pathogenic Leptospira sp.

Leptospixosis, a spirochaetal zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira, has been recognized as an important emerging infectious disease. LipL32 is the major exposed outer membrane protein found exclusively in pathogenic leptospires, where it accounts for up to 75% of the total outer membrane proteins. It is highly immunogenic, and recent studies have implicated LipL32 as an extracellular matrix binding protein, interacting with collagens, fibronectin, and laminin. In order to better understand the biological role and the structural requirements for the function of this important lipoprotein, we have determined the 2.25-angstrom-resolution structure of recombinant LipL32 protein corresponding to residues 21-272 of the wild-type protein (LipL32(21-272)). The LipL32(21-272) monomer is made of a jelly-roll fold core from which several peripheral secondary structures protrude. LipL32(21-272) is structurally similar to several other jelly-roll proteins, some of which bind calcium ions and extracellular matrix proteins. Indeed, spectroscopic data (circular dichroism, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, and extrinsic 1-amino-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid fluorescence) confirmed the calcium-binding properties of LipL32(21-272). Ca(2+) binding resulted in a significant increase in the thermal stability of the protein, and binding was specific for Ca(2+) as no structural or stability perturbations were observed for Mg(2+), Zn(2+), or Cu(2+). Careful examination of the crystal lographic structure suggests the locations of putative regions that could mediate Ca(2+) binding as well as binding to other interacting host proteins, such as collagens, fibronectin, and lamixidn. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sesquiterpenes from Xylaria sp., an endophytic fungus associated with Piper aduncum (Piperaceae)

Two new presilphiperfolane sesquiterpenes, 1 and 2, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Xylaria sp., obtained from the leaves of Piper aduncum, along with two known eremophilane sesquiterpenes, phaseolinone (3) and phomenone (4). Chemical structures of 1 and 2 were established by analysis of spectroscopic data. The four compounds were tested in vitro for antifungal and cytotoxicity activities using CHO (Chinese hamster ovary). Compounds 1 and 2 did not show any antifungal and cytotoxic activity. Compounds 3 and 4 displayed moderate cytotoxic activities, as well as 4 antifungal activity. (C) 2010 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Valet för livet? : En kvantitativ undersökning om hur elever på SP- programmet motiverar sitt gymnasieval och hur skolornas marknadsföring ser ut.

Syftet med uppsatsen var att undersöka vilka faktorer som påverkar samhällsprogrammets elevers val av skola. För att undersöka detta genomfördes en enkätundersökning på tre gymnasieskolor och skolornas respektive marknadsföring undersöktes. Undersökningen visade att samhällsprogramseleverna i sitt skolval framförallt påverkats mest av skolornas Öppna hus samt at skolorna hade rykte om att ha bra lärare, valbara kurser, skolmat och allmän stämning på skolan. Dessutom spelar skolans geografiska läge en roll. Vi kom fram till att de flesta eleverna vill att skolan ligger nära tåg och buss och ganska centralt. I den kommunala skolan var närheten till hemmet avgörande. Eleverna anser själva att föräldrarna och kompisarnas påverkan inte är avgörande för deras gymnasieval. Dessutom kom vi fram till att den större delen av eleverna hade högutbildade föräldrar och de flesta hade en svensk bakgrund. På den kommunala skolan, som låg på landsbygden, var andelen elever med utländska föräldrar störst. Vårt resultat stämmer överrens med tidigare forskning, då det redan tidigare har kommit fram till att elever med utländsk bakgrund oftast går till skolor som ligger i förorter från större städer. Dessutom är andelen elever med utländska föräldrar mycket mindre på fristående skolor än på kommunala skolor. I tidigare forskning har ytterligare kommit fram att högutbildade föräldrar gör ett mer medvetet och aktivt val när de väljer gymnasium och att fler högutbildade föräldrar väljer en fristående skola, än lågutbildade föräldrar. På de skolors SP-programelever vi undersökte såg vi att den största delen av föräldrarna var högutbildade och att en stor grupp var lärare. SP-programmet är studieförberedande och därför kan det vara så att eleverna påverkats av föräldrarnas socioekonomiska status i sitt val, vilket skulle stämma överens med tidigare forskning, även om de själva ser det som ett fritt och självständigt val.

The Physiological, Enzymatic, and Genetic Characterization of Staphylococcus sp. Chromium (VI) Reductase Function

A strain of Staphylococcus isolated by Dr. Fekete at the Sandia National Laboratory toxic metal dumping site in Sandia, New Mexico. has been found to reduce toxic Cr(VI) to the less toxic Cr(IlI) state. We have ascertained the environmental parameters for optimal bacterial growth and Cr(VI) reduction. This knowledge may be employed in a comprehensive bioremediation scheme designed to accelerate natural reparation of that Sandia ecosystem. In addition we have investigated the genetic and enzymatic basis for this Cr(VI) reducing ability. This information may allow us to create more effective bioremediation schemes based on the comprehensive knowledge of enzyme and gene function. Preliminary investigations have been carried out toward this end which may serve as the basis for a more thorough investigation.

Comparação dos principais constituintes químicos de duas espécies de arnica: Cravorana (Porophyllum Ruderale [Jacq.] Cass) e Varão-de-Ouro (Solidago SP.)

Diferentes espécies vegetais são denominadas popularmente como arnica, devido ao uso em ferimentos, traumatismos e contusões, semelhantes ao da espécie oficial Arnica montana L. Dentre elas, destacam-se as seguintes: Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass., nativa do Brasil, com maior frequência na região Sudeste, constituída por óleo essencial, flavonoides, taninos, alcaloides e saponinas; Solidago sp., planta originária da América do Sul e encontrada em vários terrenos brasileiros, constituída por flavonoides, óleo essencial e saponinas. Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar a avaliação farmacognóstica das espécies Porophyllum ruderale e Solidago sp. A parte aérea seca das espécies foi pulverizada e tamisada, e analisaram-se as características organolépticas dos pós: aspecto, cor, odor e sabor; a triagem fitoquímica foi realizada a partir de métodos tradicionais. Verificou-se a presença de taninos condensados e flavonoides em ambas as espécies, e não foi confirmada a presença de saponinas e alcaloides em nenhuma das amostras.

A questão dos portadores de deficiência e sua concreta inserção no mercado de trabalho: o caso do posto Ecobrasil em São Sebastião - SP

Este artigo apresenta a caracterização de um grupo social como minoria, as peculiaridades da situação do portador de deficiência como grupo minoritário e, por intermédio do estudo de caso do Posto EcoBrasil, em São Sebastião, a inserção dos portadores de deficiência no mercado de trabalho local.

Atendimento virtual como fator de vantagem competitiva por diferenciação em hotéis resort no Brasil

A indústria brasileira do turismo experimentou profundas alterações em sua estrutura a partir da década de 1990, notadamente em função de grandes investimentos em hotéis de categoria luxo e super luxo. Esse tipo de hospedagem tem como estratégia a diferenciação por meio da oferta de serviços e experiências singulares aos hóspedes. Assim, as ferramentas de atendimento virtual ao cliente podem contribuir para a construção da lealdade do hóspede a partir da diferenciação dos serviços prestados pelo hotel resort. Este é um estudo descritivo de natureza qualitativa, feito a partir de um levantamento no qual se efetuou a análise do desempenho das ferramentas de atendimento virtual ao cliente encontradas em 47 grandes hotéis resort de categoria luxo e super luxo em operação no Brasil. Os principais resultados indicam a baixa utilização das ferramentas de atendimento virtual disponíveis, sendo que as mais largamente empregadas foram e-mail, formulário eletrônico para submissão, autosserviço e mapa do site. Por outro lado, as ferramentas menos utilizadas foram e-mail de resposta automática, FAQ, chat instantâneo, personalização de site, grupos de discussão e vídeo-conferência; sendo que as quatro últimas sequer foram identifi cadas nos hotéis resort pesquisados. Pôde-se constatar também que mesmo os hotéis resort classifi cados com alto desempenho, subutilizam as ferramentas de atendimento virtual, o que parece não contribuir de forma plena para a oferta de uma experiência singular e diferenciada em relação à comunicação com seus clientes atuais, bem como com os potenciais clientes.

A influência do relacionamento em rede na internacionalização das empresas do pólo brasileiro de cosméticos de Diadema - SP

Dissertação apresentada ao Programa de Mestrado em Administração da Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul - USCS

A questão dos portadores de deficiência e sua concreta inserção no mercado de trabalho : o caso do posto Ecobrasil em São Sebastião, SP

A caracterização de um grupo social como minoria; as peculiaridades da situação do portador de deficiência como grupo minoritário; o caso do Posto EcoBrasil em São Sebastião e a inserção dos portadores de deficiência no mercado de trabalho local.

A tampa institucional da panela comunitária: quando o Poder Público se apropria do discurso comunitário - Jornal “Bilhete”, de Paranapiacaba/Parque Andreense, Santo André (SP)

O trabalho tem por objetivo analisar algumas edições do jornal “Bilhete”, produzido pela Prefeitura de Santo André e distribuído pelas regiões de Paranapiacaba e Parque Andreense. O veículo em questão conta com algumas características específicas que reúnem traços de folkcomunicação(baseado no “jornal do poste”), usa discurso local e comunitário e tem como uma de suas finalidades promover a divulgação de ações do Poder Público para a região, além de integrá-la à cidade.