Study on the mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of a natural food colour (annatto) in mouse bone marrow cells

Most manufactured foods contain chemicals added as a deliberate part of the manufacturing process. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of annatto, a natural pigment extracted from the Bixa orellana L. and widely used as a colorant in foods. The micronucleus test was performed in bone marrow cells from Swiss male mice treated with one of the three concentrations of annatto (1330, 5330 and 10,670 ppm), incorporated into the diet. The animals were fed with the diets for 7 days and sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment. For the evaluation of the antimutagenic potential of annatto, at day 7, the animals received an intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg body weight). Under the concentrations tested annatto did not present mutagenic or antimutagenic activities on the mice bone marrow cells. However, an increased frequency of micronucleated cells was observed when the highest concentration (10,670 ppm) was administered simultaneously with cyclophosphamide. In conclusion, the data indicate that annatto colour, for the conditions used, is neither mutagenic nor an inhibitor of induced mutations, although it should be used carefully since high doses may increase the effect of a mutagen. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Length structure of fishes from a protected area in the State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil

The aim of this work was to study the length distribution of some fish species from the Protected Area of São Pedro and Analândia, State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Length distributions were correlated to environmental conditions at each sample site. For the most abundant species, length structure was compared among the streams of each basin and between basins. Differences in length structure were related to differences in growth, habitats, and even population.

Simultaneous effects of total solids content, milk base, heat treatment temperature and sample temperature on the rheological properties of plain stirred yogurt

Response surface methodology was used to establish a relationship between total solids content, milk base, heat treatment temperature, and sample temperature, and consistency index, flow behaviour index, and apparent viscosity of plain stirred yogurts. Statistical treatments resulted in developments of mathematical models. All samples presented shear thinning fluid behaviour. The increase of the content of total solids (9.3-22.7 %) and milk base heat treatment temperature (81.6-98.4°C) resulted in a significant increase in consistency index and a decrease in flow behaviour index. Increase in the sample temperature (1.6-18.4°C) caused a decrease in consistency index and increase in flow behaviour index. Apparent viscosity was directly related to the content of total solids. Rheological properties of yogurt were highly dependent on the content of total solids in milk.

Dentistry and HIV: University professors' role in establishing a basis for judgment

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the attitudes of Dentistry School Professors from two universities, one private and one public concerning HIV-positive patients or HIV-positive health care professionals. A questionnaire Was handled to all profession at the Araçatuba Dental School of São Paulo State University - FOA-UNESP (public) and Lins Dental School of the Piracicaba Methodist University - FOL-UNIMEP (private). When asked if they would be willing to be treated by an HIV-infected health care professional, 38.9% of the 77 professors at FOA-UNESP replied that they would accept only non-invasive treatments and 13% would not accept any kind of treatment; the same applied to 42.4% and 15.2% of the 33 FOL-UNIMEP professors. Among the 54 professors at FOA-UNESP and 27 at FOL-UNIMEP providing clinical service, only 31.5% and 18.5% stated that they treat HIV-infected persons like any other patient. The results were very similar in both schools. Although they reported that they taught their students not to act in a discriminatory manner towards HIV-positive patient the professors themselves showed prejudice towards infected patients and professionals. Consequently, this topic trust be further debated in the academic milieu.

Comentario a la presentação do José Antonio Ocampo: Os paradigmas do desenvolvimento na história latino-americana"

Incluye Bibliografía

Calcareous algae from Upper Albian - Cenomanian strata of the Potiguar basin (NE Brazil)

Calcareous Albian-Cenomanian strata in the Potiguar basin yield a number of microfossils, among which are calcareous algae (Dasycladales and Corallinales). This data, together with an inventory of previous discoveries, enabled the discussion of their biogeography. These benthic organisms probably came from the early Central Atlantic Ocean through its northwestern neck between Africa and South America and thus reached the early South Atlantic platforms.

Vieillissement et développement au sein d'une societé pour tous les âges

Inclut la bibliographie

Population, territoire et développement durable: Synthèse

Incluye Bibliografía

La transformation productive 20 ans aprés: problémes anciens, nouvelles opportunités. Synthése

Incluye Bibliografía

Consensos urbanos: aportes del Plan de Acción Regional de América Latina y el Caribe sobre Asentamientos Humanos

Incluye Bibliografía

Urban consensus: contributions from the Latin American and the Caribbean Regional Plan of Action on Human Settlements

Includes bibliography

Agaricus blazei as a Substrate for the Production of β-1,3-Glucanase by Trichoderma harzianum Rifai

Extracellular β-1,3-glucanase was produced by Trichoderma harzianum Rifai cultivated in the Agaricus blazei (Agaricus brasiliensis) extract as a substrate in submerged fermentation. A 22-central composite factorial design was developed using the time of culture (x1/day) and Agaricus blazei extract concentration (x2/(g/L)) as variables, and the results were analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that the Agaricus blazei extract concentration was the most important variable in the production of β-1,3-glucanase, and the maximum β-1,3-glucanase activity (0.77 U/mL) was obtained in one day of cultivation. The β-glucan present in the cell wall of Agaricus blazei mushroom proved to be a good substrate for inducing the production of specific β-1,3-glucanase by Trichoderma harzianum Rifai.

Precios, salarios y empleo en la Argentina: estadísticas económicas de corto plazo

Incluye Bibliografía

New records of the cicada genus Fidicinoides Boulard and Martinelli, 1996 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Fidicinini) from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Fidicinoides picea (Walker, 1850) and Fidicinoides poulaini Boulard and Martinelli, 1996 are recorded for the first time from the state of Mato Grosso, extending the known distribution of these species to the south. Thereby, the number of Fidicinoides species from Mato Grosso is increased to nine, being Mato Grosso the state with the largest number of recorded species of this genus in Brazil. © 2012 Check List and Authors.