Partial characterization of protease from a thermophilic fungus, Thermoascus aurantiacus, and its hydrolytic activity on bovine casein

Proteases are one of the most important groups of industrial enzymes, with considerable application in the food industry. The aim of this work was to study a novel protease produced by the thermophilic fungus, Thermoascus aurantiacus, through solid-state fermentation (SSF). The enzyme acted optimally at pH 5.5 and 60 degrees C it was stable up to 60 degrees C for 1 h and in the pH range 3.0-9.5. To elucidate the enzyme's proteolytic activity, its hydrolytic profile on bovine casein, an important protein in the food industry, was studied by enzymatic hydrolysis on skim milk, analyzed by gel electrophoresis (UREA-PAGE), which clearly showed that the protease does not have the same specificity as bovine chymosin. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Production and partial characterization of polygalacturonases produced by thermophilic Monascus sp N8 and by thermotolerant Aspergillus sp N12 on solid-state fermentation

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

Short-term successional dynamics of a macroalgal community in a stream from northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil

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

Detection and partial characterization of a carlavirus causing stem necrosis of soybean in Brazil

No ano agrícola de 2000/2001, ocorreu um surto de nanismo e necrose da haste em soja (Glycine max) plantada em duas áreas do Brasil Central e na safra seguinte, esta anomalia foi constatada em outras regiões produtoras, mesmo distantes mais de 2.000 km de onde fora inicialmente constatada. Estudos envolvendo ensaios de transmissão (enxertia, mecânica e insetos vetores), microscopia eletrônica, purificação, sorologia e ensaios moleculares indicaram que a enfermidade foi causada por um carlavirus transmitido por mosca branca, possivelmente relacionado ao Cowpea mild mottle virus (CpMMV).

Effect of axial loads on implanted-supported partial fixed prostheses by strain gauge analysis

Objectives: The present study used strain gauge analysis to perform an in vitro evaluation of the effect of axial loading on 3 elements of implant-supported partial fixed prostheses, varying the type of prosthetic cylinder and the loading points. Material and methods: Three internal hexagon implants were linearly embedded in a polyurethane block. Microunit abutments were connected to the implants applying a torque of 20 Ncm, and prefabricated Co-Cr cylinders and plastic prosthetic cylinders were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n=5). Four strain gauges (SG) were bonded onto the surface of the block tangentially to the implants, SG 01 mesially to implant 1, SG 02 and SG 03 mesially and distally to implant 2, respectively, and SG 04 distally to implant 3. Each metallic structure was screwed onto the abutments with a 10 Ncm torque and an axial load of 30 kg was applied at five predetermined points (A, B, C, D, E). The data obtained from the strain gauge analyses were analyzed statistically by RM ANOVA and Tukey's test, with a level of significance of p<0.05. Results: There was a significant difference for the loading point (p=0.0001), with point B generating the smallest microdeformation (239.49 mu epsilon) and point D the highest (442.77 mu epsilon). No significant difference was found for the cylinder type (p=0.748). Conclusions: It was concluded that the type of cylinder did not affect in the magnitude of microdeformation, but the axial loading location influenced this magnitude.

Correlation between factors associated with the removable partial dentures use and Candida spp. in saliva

Objectives: To correlate the presence and number of Candida spp. in the saliva of wearers of removable partial dentures retained with precision attachments with the proportion of metal/acrylic resin present in the dentures. Methods: Saliva samples from 40 removable partial denture wearers (test) and one paired sample of individuals, non- wearers of any type of removable denture (control) were collected, seeded, and the colony forming units of Candida counted and identified. The metal/acrylic resin proportion of each denture was quantified, using silicone plates pressed over each denture. Results: Candida spp. was found in the saliva of 80% of the individuals in the test group and 65% of the control, with C. albicans being themost prevalent species. The test group presented with the highest number of colony forming units of Candida per ml of saliva, and there wasweak correlation between this number and the metal and resin area of the denture (Pearson's coefficient of correlation). Greater prevalence and a higher number of colony forming units of Candida per ml of saliva occurred in removable partial denture wearers ( p = 0.04) with a weak positive correlation between the metal and resin area and the number of colony forming units of Candida per ml of saliva. However, this correlation was more significant for the area of resin. Correlation between factors associated with the removable partial dentures use and Candida spp. in saliva

Indirect constraints on the triple gauge boson couplings from Z -> b(b)over-bar partial width: An update

We update the indirect bounds on anomalous triple gauge couplings coming from the non-universal one-loop contributions to the Z --> width. These bounds, which are independent of the Higgs boson mass, are in agreement with the standard model predictions for the gauge boson self-couplings since the present value of R-b agrees fairly well with the theoretical estimates. Moreover, these indirect constraints on Delta g(1)(Z) and g(5)(Z) are most stringent than the present direct bounds on these quantities, while the indirect limit on lambda(Z) is weaker than the available experimental data.

Exact static soliton solutions of (3+1)-dimensional integrable theory with nonzero Hopf numbers

In this paper, we explicitly construct an infinite number of Hopfions (static, soliton solutions with nonzero Hopf topological charges) within the recently proposed (3 + 1)-dimensional, integrable, and relativistically invariant field theory. Two integers label the family of Hopfions we have found. Their product is equal to the Hopf charge which provides a lower bound to the soliton's finite energy. The Hopfions are explicitly constructed in terms of the toroidal coordinates and shown to have a form of linked closed vortices.

Differential and partial cross sections of elastic and inelastic positronium-helium-atom scattering

Scattering of positronium (Ps) by a helium atom has been investigated in a three-Ps-state coupled-channel model including Ps(1s,2s,2p) states using a recently proposed time-reversal-symmetric regularized electron-exchange model potential. Specifically, we report results of differential cross sections for elastic scattering and target-elastic Ps excitations. We also present results for total and different partial cross sections and compare them with experiment and other calculations.

Effect of partial crystallization on the mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of bioactive glass from the 3CaO center dot P2O5-SiO2-MgO system

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

Multivariate calibrations in gas chromatographic profiles for prediction of several physicochemical parameters of Brazilian commercial gasoline

Several Brazilian commercial gasoline physicochemical parameters, such as relative density, distillation curve (temperatures related to 10%, 50% and 90% of distilled volume, final boiling point and residue), octane numbers (motor and research octane number and anti-knock index), hydrocarbon compositions (olefins, aromatics and saturates) and anhydrous ethanol and benzene content was predicted from chromatographic profiles obtained by flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and using partial least square regression (PLS). GC-FID is a technique intensively used for fuel quality control due to its convenience, speed, accuracy and simplicity and its profiles are much easier to interpret and understand than results produced by other techniques. Another advantage is that it permits association with multivariate methods of analysis, such as PLS. The chromatogram profiles were recorded and used to deploy PLS models for each property. The standard error of prediction (SEP) has been the main parameter considered to select the "best model". Most of GC-FID-PLS results, when compared to those obtained by the Brazilian Government Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency - ANP Regulation 309 specification methods, were very good. In general, all PLS models developed in these work provide unbiased predictions with lows standard error of prediction and percentage average relative error (below 11.5 and 5.0, respectively). (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Production and partial characterization of serine and metallo peptidases secreted by Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius in submerged and solid state fermentation

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

Stomach contents and notes on the reproduction of the Onefin Skate Gurgesiella dorsalifera (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) off Southern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Colheita de sêmen por eletroejaculação em cutia-parda (Dasyprocta azarae)

As cutias são animais que vivem nas Américas Central e do Sul, com potencial zootécnico e que despertam crescente interesse científico. O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer um padrão para colheita de sêmen por eletroejaculação em cutia-parda (Dasyprocta azarae). Foram utilizados machos adultos (n=4) anestesiados e submetidos a quatro séries de 20 estímulos eletroejaculatórios, com 3 segundos de duração cada, com uma intensidade de 2, 4, 6 e 8 volts, com dois minutos de intervalo entre cada série. A colheita de sêmen foi obtida em todos os animais, com ereção parcial com 2 volts, ereção evidente com 4 volts, ejaculação com 6 volts e exacerbação da glande e exteriorização das espículas penianas com 8 volts, observando-se espermatozoides em 100% das amostras. A técnica descrita para colheita de sêmen em cutia-parda foi eficaz.

Molecular systematics of Thorea (Rhodophyta, Thoreales) species in Brazil

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