Daily photosynthesis, water relations, and ion concentrations of uuonymus irrigated with treated wastewater

Euonymus japonica Thunb. (euonymus) plants were submitted for 9 months to two irrigation treatments using water from different sources: a control (C) water with electrical conductivity (EC) less than 1.2 dS.m(-1) and reclaimed wastewater (RW) with EC approximate to 4 dS.m(-1). At the end of the experiment, no differences in the total dry weight were observed between treatments, whereas the leaf dry mass increased (to the detriment of the root part in RW plants). Throughout the day, the stem water potential (Psi(stem)) of the RW plants was lower than in C, whereas stomatal conductance (g(S)) was slightly reduced in RW from 0800 HR to 1200 HR, but no significant variation in photosynthesis (P-n) or energy conversion efficiency (F'(v)/F'(m)) in photosystem II was detected through the effect of salinity. Gas exchange and fluorescence showed a tendency to increase after midday in plants treated with RW. The photosynthetic behavior and fluorescence of RW plants may have been related to the nitrogen and chlorophyll content of the leaves, confirming the resistance of the photosynthetic mechanism to salinity in this species in these conditions. The toxic effects produced by high concentrations of boron (B), sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) were offset by the effect of other ions like magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), and phosphorus (P) in plants irrigated with RW, thus improving their physiological status without decreasing their ornamental value.

Lethal effect of high concentrations of Parecoxib and Flunixin meglumine on the in vitro culture of bovine embryos

Since cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been pointed out as potential treatments to increase pregnancy rates after embryo transfer, the present experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine (FM) and parecoxib (P), a COX-1 and 2 or COX-2 specific inhibitor, respectively, on the development of bovine embryos until the hatched blastocyst stage. In vitro produced bovine embryos were cultured in media with different concentrations of FM (0.14; 1.4; 14; 140 or 1400 mu g/ml) or P (0.09; 0.9; 9; 90 or 900 mu g/ml) and the production rates were evaluated. Concentrations of FM <= 14 mu g/ml and P <= 90 mu g/ml did not impair embryo development, although compiled data from non-lethal FM concentrations (<= 14 mu g/ml) indicated a toxic effect enough to decrease the hatching rate of blastocysts. Concentrations of FM at 140 and 1400 mu g/ml and P at 900 mu g/ml were lethal as no cleavage was detected on presumptive zygotes.

Comparative Studies of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis Metabolism in Different Concentrations of Cassava Flour Processing Waste Based Media

Techniques of production of enthomopatogenic bacteria are developed aiming to increase the productivity and to reduce the costs of the fermentative process. Like this, it has been using agroindustrial wastes or by-products as nutrient sources in culture medium, having been used, in this study, the manipueira, a by-product of the processing of the cassava flour. Fermentations were performed in flasks of Erlenmeyer of 500 mL containing 250 mL of culture media, conditioned in shaker at 180 r.p.m. and 28°C, and the media were composed by manipueira, in concentrations that varied between 400 and 1000 mL/L. The time of the process varied between 48 and 120 hours. They appraised the following parameters: cellular growth, the production of spores, the reduction of organic matter (COD analysis) and the variation of reduction sugar. Although there was a proportional cellular growth to the manipueira concentration, the production of spores was similar in all the cases, at the end of the process, in spite of the smallest speed of production of the same ones in the highest concentrations. In relation to the variation of COD, it has, also, a percentile minor of reduction in the highest concentrations. In the analysis of variation of reduction sugars, the higher concentrations are the ones that they present larger slowness in the reduction of this.

Eficácia e sensibilidade dental resultante do clareamento dental de consultório com 6¢ H2O2/TiO_N. Estudo clínico randomizado controlado

Pós-graduação em Ciências Odontológicas - FOAR

Effect of diets with varying starch content on muscle glycogen concentrations during training and replenishment after highintensity exercise

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Protective effect of sodium ascorbate on odontoblast-like cells MDPC-23 exposed to a bleaching agent

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

Effect of hydrogen-peroxide-mediated oxidative stress on human dental pulp cells

To evaluate the effect of the oxidative stress on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) promoted by toxic concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on its odontoblastic differentiation capability through time. Methods HDPCs were exposed to two different concentrations of H2O2 (0.1 and 0.3 μg/ml) for 30 min. Thereafter, cell viability (MTT assay) and oxidative stress generation (H2DCFDA fluorescence assay) were immediately evaluated. Data were compared with those for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (thymolphthalein assay) and mineralized nodule deposition (alizarin red) by HDPCs cultured for 7 days in osteogenic medium. Results A significant reduction in cell viability and oxidative stress generation occurred in the H2O2-treated cells when compared with negative controls (no treatment), in a concentration-dependent fashion. Seven days after H2O2 treatment, the cells showed significant reduction in ALP activity compared with negative control and no mineralized nodule deposition. Conclusion Both concentrations of H2O2 were toxic to the cells, causing intense cellular oxidative stress, which interfered with the odontogenic differentiation capability of the HDPCs. Clinical significance The intense oxidative stress on HDPCs mediated by H2O2 at toxic concentrations promotes intense reduction on odontoblastic differentiation capability in a 7-day evaluation period, which may alter the initial pulp healing capability in the in vivo situation.

Influence of training status and eNOS haplotypes on plasma nitrite concentrations in normotensive older adults: a hypothesis-generating study

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

Effect of prey concentrations and feed training on production of Hoplias lacerdae juvenile

The aim of this work was to investigate the s of daily prey concentration during the first 15 days of active feeding of Hoplias lacerdae larvae, and the juvenile size on the feed training. In the first phase, the larvae received five Artemia nauplii concentrations (P). In the second phase, the juveniles from each treatment were trained to accept formulated diet. Superior growth was related to higher initial daily prey concentrations (900 and 1100 nauplii larvae-1). During feed training, the growth tendency was similar to that verified in the first phase. The lowest values of specific growth rate (SGR) were registered after the introduction of the semi-moist diet used in the feed training. However, the values of SGR recovered along the experiment and similar rates were found among the treatments. Survival, mortality and cannibalism were similar in the different treatments at the end of both phases. It can be concluded that: the prey concentration affects growth of H. lacerdae during the first 15 days of active feeding, and feed training can be initialized with juveniles of about 16 mm of total length.

Avaliação de compostos modelos visando propor um método de diferenciação de matéria orgânica lábil e recalcitrante em ambientes aquáticos

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

Penetration of hydrogen peroxide and degradation rate of different bleaching products

This study's aim was to evaluate the degradation rate of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and to quantify its penetration in tooth structure, considering the residence time of bleaching products on the dental enamel. For this study, bovine teeth were randomly divided according to the bleaching product received: Opalescence Xtra Boost 38%, White Gold Office 35%, Whiteness HP Blue 35%, Whiteness HP Maxx 35%, and Lase Peroxide Sensy 35%. To analyze the degradation of H2O2, the titration of bleaching agents with potassium permanganate was used, while the penetration of H2O2 was measured via spectrophotometric analysis of the acetate buffer solution, collected from the artificial pulp chamber. The analyses were performed immediately as well as 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes after product application. The data of degradation rate of H2O2 were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests, while ANOVA and Fisher tests were used for the quantification of H2O2, at the 5% level. The results showed that all products significantly reduced the concentration of H2O2 activates at the end of 45 minutes. It was also verified that the penetration of H2O2 was enhanced by increasing the residence time of the product on the tooth surface. It was concluded that the bleaching gels retained substantial concentrations of H2O2 after 45 minutes of application, and penetration of H2O2 in the dental structure is time-dependent.

Morphological effects of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed oil with known azadirachtin concentrations on the oocytes of semi-engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high concentrations of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine and tacrolimus in MRC-5 cells

Immunosuppressive drugs are used to suppress immune system activity in transplant patients and reduce the risk of organ rejection. The present study evaluated the potential cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK-506) on normal human fibroblasts (MRC-5 cells). Based on plasma concentrations of the immunosuppressive drugs, which were obtained from the records of kidney transplant patients at the Kidney Institute of Londrina, Brazil, 11 concentrations of each immunosuppressive were chosen to evaluate cell viability using the MIT assay. From these results, CsA and FK-506 concentrations of 135, 300, 675, and 1520 ng/ml and 8, 16, 24, and 32 ng/ml, respectively, were evaluated using (i) the comet assay, (ii) the nuclear division index (NDI), (iii) the micronucleus test (CBMN) and (iv) cell proliferation curves generated by quantifying cell numbers and protein levels. In this study, 1520 to 3420 ng/ml CsA decreased cell viability after 48 h of exposure. Genotoxic effects were observed only with a concentration of 1520 ng/ml after 3 h of exposure and with concentrations of 675 and 1520 ng/ml after 24 h of exposure. Mutagenic effects were observed only for the concentration of 1520 ng/ml. FK-506 decreased cell viability after 72 h of exposure for concentrations up to 20 ng/ml; genotoxic effects were observed with concentrations up to 8 ng/ml for both treatment times (3 and 24 h) and mutagenic effects were observed with concentrations of 24 and 32 ng/ml after 24 h of treatment. The cell proliferation curves demonstrated the absence of cytostatic effects of these drugs, and these data were confirmed by the NDI analysis. Our results suggest that concentrations lower than 300 ng/ml of CsA and 16 ng/ml of FK-506 are safe for use, as they did not induce genotoxic and mutagenic damage or affect MRC-5 cell viability and proliferation. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Wide localized solutions of the parity-time-symmetric nonautonomous nonlinear Schrodinger equation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Tropical soils with high aluminum concentrations cause oxidative stress in two tomato genotypes

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