Preliminary functional characterization, cloning and primary sequence of Fastuosain, a cysteine peptidase isolated from fruits of Bromelia fastuosa

The present work reports the characterization of Fastuosain, a novel cysteine protease of 25kDa, purified from the unripe fruits of Bromelia fastuosa, a wild South American Bromeliaceae. Proteolytic activity, measured using casein and synthetic substrates, was dependent on the presence of thiol reagents, having maximum activity at pH 7.0. The present work reports cDNA cloning of Fastuosain; cDNA was amplified by PCR using specific primers. The product was 1096pb long. Mature fastuosain has 217 residues, and with the proregion has a total length of 324 residues. Its primary sequence showed high homology with ananain(74%), stem bromelain (66%) and papain (44%).

Floral biology and late-acting self-incompatibility in Jacaranda racemosa (Bignoniaceae)

Breeding-system studies have been conducted with 38 of the approximately 800 species of Bignoniaceae, and self-incompatibility was found in 31 of these. In species for which the site of self-incompatibility barrier was studied, self-pollinated flowers consistently failed to develop into fruits, even though pollen tubes grew down to the ovary and penetrated most of the ovules. In this study, we have investigated the. oral biology and the breeding system in Jacaranda racemosa Chamisso, with hand-pollination experiments and the histology of post-pollination events. Flower anthesis lasted 1-3 days, and although the frequency of flower visitation was extremely low, natural pollination seemed to be effected mainly by medium-sized bees. Because the conspicuous staminodium favours eventual pollination by small bees, a possible role of the staminodium in the increase of potential pollinators is suggested. Hand-pollinations indicated that J. racemosa is a self-sterile species. Histological analysis of post-pollination events indicated the occurrence of a kind of late-acting self-incompatibility in which the processes of ovule penetration, fertilisation and endosperm initiation were slower in selfed than in crossed pistils. Until the time of self-pollinated pistil abscission, no signs of endosperm malfunction or proembryo development were observed in selfed pistils. Therefore, inbreeding depression is an unlikely explanation for self-sterility in J. racemosa.

Feather mites of Brazil (Acari: Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea)

We present a checklist of feather mites known from native birds in Brazil. The list was compiled from a survey of Brazilian records published in indexing databases (e.g. Zoological Records) and from the available literature. To date, 185 nominal species representing 21 families have been recorded from Brazilian birds. Associations with 15 bird orders were found: Anseriformes, Apodiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Ciconiiformes, Columbiformes, Cuculiformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Opisthocomiformes, Passeriformes, Piciformes, Psittaciformes, Tinamiformes and Trogoniformes. These birds sum to 218 species, which represent only 12.4% of all bird species occurring in Brazil. The feather mite fauna of several species-rich and important bird orders in Brazil remain unexplored, including Cathartiformes, Charadriiformes, Coraciiformes, Galbuliformes and Strigiformes. We estimate that between 900 and 5300 feather mite species are expected to occur on Brazilian birds, which is at least five times greater than current records. The training of researchers with expertise in the taxonomy of this group of mites should be stimulated so that there is a compatible number of taxonomists to discover and describe the almost unexplored feather mite fauna in Brazil.

Evaluation of simulated external root resorptions with digital radiography and digital subtraction radiography

Introduction: Root resorption can cause damage in orthodontic patients. Digital subtraction radiography (DSR) is a useful resource for the detection of mineral losses. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of digital radiography (DR) and DSR in detecting simulated external root resorption. Examiner agreement between the 2 techniques was also evaluated. Methods: Root resorptions of various sizes were simulated on the apical and lingual aspects of 49 teeth from 9 dry human mandibles. The teeth were radiographed in standardized conditions. The radiographs were registered with Regeemy Image Registration and Mosaicking (version 0.2.43-RCB, DPI-INPE, Sao Jose dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil) and subtracted with Image Tool (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio). The subtracted images and the digital radiographs were evaluated by 3 oral radiologists. Results: No statistically significant differences were found for the methods in the detection of apical root resorptions, independently from lesion size, and of lingual resorptions of 1.2 mm or greater. DSR was significantly better than DR for detection of lingual resorptions up to 1 mm. Resorptions less than 0.5 mm were not precisely detected by either method. DSR provided better intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement than did DR. Conclusions: Both methods are precise for detection of apical root resorptions as small as 0.5 mm and lingual resorptions of 1 mm or more. However, DSR frequently performed better than did DR. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;139:324-33)

Evaluation of light transmission through translucent and opaque posts

Objectives: The transmission of light through translucent posts was observed, and the microhardness of light-cured cement used to secure these posts was evaluated at different depths. Methods: Fifteen single-rooted standard bovine teeth, 16 mm in size, were used. The root canals were prepared using #3 drills Light-Post (five teeth) and Aestheti Post (five teeth) systems (BISCO), with a working-length of 12 mm. In five teeth, translucent posts were cemented (Light-Post #2), while another five teeth received opaque posts (Aestheti Post #2). The roots were painted with black nail varnish to prevent the passage of light through the lateral walls of the roots. The root canals of all the specimens were treated with the All-Bond 2 adhesive system (BISCO) and cemented with light-cured cement (Enforce, Dentsply). All the roots were transversally cut to obtain six specimens 1.5 mm thick. Every two sections corresponded to a specific region of the root (cervical, middle, apical), making it possible to observe the cement microhardness at different levels. The groups (n=10) were defined as: G1: translucent post (TP)/cervical region; G2: TP/middle region; G3: TP/apical region; G4: Opaque post (OP)/cervical region; G5: OP/middle region; G6: PO/apical region. Five root canals were only filled with cement for use as a control (G7). Then, Vickers microhardness analyses were performed. Results: In G3, G5 and G6, the cement was not sufficiently hard to allow for microhardness analysis. When submitted to the ANOVA test, G1 (35.07), G2 (24.28) and G4 (28.64) presented no statistical differences. When the previous groups were compared to G7 (51.00) using the Kruskal-Wallis test, a statistical difference was found. Conclusion: Translucent posts allow cement polymerization up to the middle portion of the root.

Dissolved Po-210 and Pb-210 in Guarani aquifer groundwater, Brazil

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

Fast sequential multi-element determination of Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn for foliar diagnosis using high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry: Feasibility of secondary lines, side pixel registration and least-squares background correction

The fast sequential multi-element determination of Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in plant tissues by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed. For this, the main lines for Cu (324.754 nm), Fe (248.327 nm), Mn (279.482 nm) and Zn (213.857 nm) were selected, and the secondary lines for Ca (239.856 nm), Mg (202.582 nm) and K (404.414 nm) were evaluated. The side pixel registration approach was studied to reduce sensitivity and extend the linear working range for Mg by measuring at wings (202.576 nm; 202.577 nm; 202.578 nm; 202.580 nm: 202.585 nm; 202.586 nm: 202.587 nm; 202.588 nm) of the secondary line. The interference caused by NO bands on Zn at 213.857 nm was removed using the least-squares background correction. Using the main lines for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, secondary lines for Ca and K, and line wing at 202.588 nm for Mg, and 5 mL min(-1) sample flow-rate, calibration curves in the 0.1-0.5 mg L-1 Cu, 0.5-4.0 mg L-1 Fe, 0.5-4.0 mg L-1 Mn, 0.2-1.0 mg L-1 Zn, 10.0-100.0 mg L-1 Ca, 5.0-40.0 mg L-1 Mg and 50.0-250.0 mg L-1 K ranges were consistently obtained. Accuracy and precision were evaluated after analysis of five plant standard reference materials. Results were in agreement at a 95% confidence level (paired t-test) with certified values. The proposed method was applied to digests of sugar-cane leaves and results were close to those obtained by line-source flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Recoveries of Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in the 89-103%, 84-107%, 87-103%, 85-105%, 92-106%, 91-114%, 96-114% intervals, respectively, were obtained. The limits of detection were 0.6 mg L-1 Ca, 0.4 mg L-1 Mg, 0.4 mg L-1 K, 7.7 mu g L-1 Cu, 7.7 mu g L-1 Fe, 1.5 mu g L-1 Mn and 5.9 mu g L-1 Zn. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of alternate lines of Fe for sequential multi-element determination of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in soil extracts by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry

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

Evaluation of Lines of Phosphorus and Potassium by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Liquid Fertilizer Analysis

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

Bioactive flavone dimers from Ouratea multiflora (Ochnaceae)

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

Curva de sobrevivência e estimativa de entropia em Lucilia cuprina (Diptera, Calliphoridae)

Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) is a cosmopolite blowfly species of medical and veterinary importance because it produces myiasis, mainly in ovine. In order to evaluate the demographic characteristics of this species, survivorship curves for 327 adult males and 323 adult females, from generation F1 maintained under experimental conditions, were obtained. Entropy was utilized as the estimator of the survival pattern to quantify the mortality distribution of individuals as a function of age. The entropy values 0.216 (males) and 0.303 (females) were obtained. These results denote that, considering the survivorship interval until the death of the last individual for each sex, the males present a tendency of mortality in more advanced age intervals, in comparison with the females.

Análise isotópica (δ13C) e legalidade em suco e polpa de caju

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

Guiana dolphins, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea: Delphinidae), in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex: insights on the use of area based on the photo-identification technique

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

Prótese intra-ocular de resina acrílica em cães e gatos

Foram atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Unesp - Campus de Botucatu, 11 animais (oito cães e três gatos), com alterações oftálmicas unilaterais graves que levaram à perda total da função ocular (protrusão de globo com injúria nervosa e estrutural, perfurações de córnea com perda de conteúdo intra-ocular e endoftalmites, entre outras). Os animais, com idades entre dois meses e 10 anos, foram submetidos à evisceração e posterior inclusão de esfera de resina acrílica (metilmetacrilato) na capa córneo-escleral ou escleral. As esferas foram previamente confeccionadas e esterilizadas por autoclavagem. No pós-operatório foram utilizados antiinflamatórios e antibioticoterapia tópica combinada ou não a sistêmica. O período de observação variou de 2 meses a 3 anos e os aspectos avaliados foram secreção ocular, blefarospasmo, sinais de desconforto e estética. Obtiveram-se resultados satisfatórios em oito casos. Concluiu-se que a resina acrílica pode ser uma alternativa para uso como inclusão em cavidade anoftálmica.

Ocorrência de bactérias do gênero Aeromonas em queijo-de-minas frescal artesanal

Foram analisadas 160 amostras de queijo-de-minas frescal artesanal, adquiridas no comércio varejista dos municípios de Poços de Caldas - MG e Jaboticabal - SP, a fim de verificar a ocorrência de bactérias do gênero Aeromonas no produto. Oitenta e duas (51,2%) encontravam-se contaminadas pelos microrganismos, com populações que variavam de 5,0×10³ a 4,0×10(5) UFC/grama. Foram identificadas as espécies Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas caviae, Aeromonas schubertii, além de cepas consideradas atípicas. Os resultados evidenciam que bactérias do gênero Aeromonas podem ser veiculadas através do queijo tipo minas frescal artesanal e devem servir de alerta aos serviços de saúde pública.