Seasonal fluctuations of bacterial population and microbial activity in soils cultivated with eucalyptus and pinus

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

Thermogenic activity of growth hormone transgenic mice

The objective was to determine the effect of a mouse metallothionein/bovine growth hormone transgene on resting metabolic rate (RMR), cold-induced thermogenesis, and beta-agonist stimulated nonshivering thermogenesis in mice. Non-transgenic littermates were used as controls. Open-circuit indirect calorimetry was used to assess RMR and cold-induced thermogenesis in 64 mice. Air temperature in the chamber was set at 31 degrees C for RMR and was decreased to 28, 25, 21, or 17 degrees C to determine cold-induced thermogenesis. Response to the beta-agonist isoproterenol was evaluated by monitoring changes in colonic temperature of 34 mice upon injection of the drug or saline. Despite the fact that RMR tended to be lower in transgenics than in nontransgenics, at 31 degrees C transgenic mice were able to regulate colonic temperature at the same level as nontransgenics, but colonic temperature decreased in transgenics relative to nontransgenics as air temperature was reduced. For each degree decrease in air temperature between 31 and 17 degrees C, nontransgenic mice increased heat production by 1.03 +/- .10 watt/kg, whereas transgenic mice increased it by only .56 +/- .08 watt/kg, indicating that the thermogenic response of transgenics to cold was inferior. The magnitude of the maximal increase in colonic temperature after isoproterenol injection was similar for both groups, but the response was slower in transgenics. We suggest that lean body mass and substrate availability for shivering thermogenesis are reduced in transgenics relative to total body weight, and that they allow colonic temperature to decrease to conserve energy.

Glass transitions for freeze-dried and air-dried tomato

Glass transition temperatures of freeze-dried tomato conditioned at various water activities at 25 C were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Air-dried tomato with and without osmotic pre-treatment in sucrose/NaCl solutions was also analyzed. Thermograms corresponding to the low water activity domain (0.11 less than or equal to a(w) less than or equal to 0.75) revealed the existence of two glass transitions, which were attributed to separated phases formed by sugars and water and other natural macromolecules present in the vegetable. Both transitions were plasticized by water and experimental data could be well correlated by the Gordon-Taylor equation in the low-temperature domain, and by the Kwei model in the high-temperature domain. For higher water activities, the low-temperature glass transition curve exhibited a discontinuity, with suddenly increased glass transition temperatures approaching a constant value that corresponds to the T-g of the maximally freeze-concentrated amorphous matrix. The unfreezable water content was determined through the melting enthalpy dependence on the moisture content. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Viscoelastic behavior of persimmons dried at constant air temperature

The viscoelastic behavior of dried persimmons at different air-drying temperatures and velocities was evaluated. Air temperatures and velocities were varied according to a second-order central composite design, with temperature ranging from 40degreesC to 70degreesC and air velocity from 0.8 to 2.0 m/s. After drying, persimmons were equilibrated at four different water activities: 0.432, 0.576, 0.625 and 0.751. The rheological behavior of dried and conditioned persimmons was studied under uniaxial compression-relaxation tests. Three different rheological models were fitted to the experimental relaxation curves: Maxwell, Generalized Maxwell and Peleg and Normand. Based on the root mean square of residuals, the Generalized Maxwell model showed the best fit and a regression analysis was applied to obtain response surfaces for the model parameters. The dependence of the rheological properties on water activity was also analysed. Results showed that only the linear effect of air temperature was significant at a 5% level on the equilibrium stress and relaxation times. In a general way, these parameters increased with increasing air temperature and decreasing water activity. (C) 2004 Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Daily activity resources collection by the swarm-founding wasp Angiopolybia pallens (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Angiopolybia pallens (Lepeletier, 1836) exhibited an intense activity at the beginning (6:00-7:00 a.m.) and end of the day (5:30-6:00 p.m.) (bimodal daily activity) and a low efficiency index in resources collection. The species also exhibited an equivalence relation in the items collected (nectar, prey and pulp) and a negative reaction to temperature and luminosity increasing, and reacted positively to an increase in the relative air humidity.

Modelling study of the impact of deep convection on the utls air composition - Part I: Analysis of ozone precursors

The aim of this work is to study the local impact on the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere air composition of an extreme deep convective system. For this purpose, we performed a simulation of a convective cluster composed of many individual deep convective cells that occurred near Bauru (Brazil). The simulation is performed using the 3-D mesoscale model RAMS coupled on-line with a chemistry model. The comparisons with meteorological measurements show that the model produces meteorological fields generally consistent with the observations. The present paper (part I) is devoted to the analysis of the ozone precursors (CO, NO x and non-methane volatile organic compounds) and HO x in the UTLS. The simulation results show that the distribution of CO with altitude is closely related to the upward convective motions and consecutive outflow at the top of the convective cells leading to a bulge of CO between 7 km altitude and the tropopause (around 17km altitude). The model results for CO are consistent with satellite-borne measurements at 700 hPa. The simulation also indicates enhanced amounts of NO x up to 2 ppbv in the 7-17 km altitude layer mainly produced by the lightning associated with the intense convective activity. For insoluble non-methane volatile organic compounds, the convective activity tends to significantly increase their amount in the 7-17km layer by dynamical effects. During daytime in the presence of lightning NO x, this bulge is largely reduced in the upper part of the layer for reactive species (e.g. isoprene, ethene) because of their reactions with OH that is increased on average during daytime. Lightning NO x also impacts on the oxydizing capacity of the upper troposphere by reducing on average HO x, HO 2, H 2O 2 and organic hydroperoxides. During the simulation time, the impact of convection on the air composition of the lower stratosphere is negligible for all ozone precursors although several of the simulated convective cells nearly reach the tropopause. There is no significant transport from the upper troposphere to the lower stratosphere, the isentropic barrier not being crossed by convection. The impact of the increase of ozone precursors and HO x in the upper troposphere on the ozone budget in the LS is discussed in part II of this series of papers.

Foraging activity of Protopolybia exigua (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in different phases of the colony cycle, at an area in the region of the Médio São Francisco River, Bahia, Brazil

In this work, the foraging activity of Protopolybia exigua (de Saussure) was studied, aiming to verify the amplitude of the foraging time, the relation between the physical factors of weather (temperature, relative air humidity, luminosity and wind speed) and the daily activity of searching for resources, as well as to analyze the influence of the colony development phases and the number of individuals (adults and immatures) engaged in such activity. The study was carried out in two areas of the city of Bom Jesus da Lapa, Bahia, Brazil, during the period from January to June 2006, when the observation of 12 colonies of P. exigua was performed. The results revealed this species presented an amplitude of activity of almost 13 hours. There was an average of 44.4 nest exits and 37.6 returns a day by the nest workers and the Returns with Resources Index for this species was 93.5%. The foraging activity increased as of 10:01, and became more intense, with the peak from 1:01 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., when the highest temperatures (°C) and the lowest values of relative air humidity (%) were observed. The colonies that had a larger number of larvae presented a higher average number of trips to the field per hour (10.94) and the number of females in the colony tends to induce foraging activity. There were no differences between the numbers of nest exits by the workers regarding the three phases of colony development.

Aerosols monitoring in Rio Claro, Brazil: Using lidar and air pollution analyzers

Brazil has an important role in the biomass burning aerosol activity. During the Dry Season (June-September) of 2009 an aerosol profiling campaign was carried out using a backscattering and Raman lidar system in Rio Claro-SP, Brazil (22°23'S and 47°32'W). The main goal of this campaign was to observe the biomass burning aerosol load due to sugarcane crops and also study the air dispersion conditions, planetary boundary and mixed layer daily evolution. In this paper we aim to present the preliminary results of the influence of this type of aerosol over the city of Rio Claro-SP, Brazil and one case study to evaluate the aerosol profile in a biomass burning episode that occurred in July, 2009. On July 15 an intense burning was observed about 300 m away from the lidar location. Throughout the measurements it was observed that the plumes reached up to 900 m, and that there was a time gap between the plumes. The gas analyzers showed a strong influence of this burning as it was noticed in the measurements of CO, NO x and nephelometer, whereas the PM10 did not have due to this burning, possibly because the particulate was deposited further from the emission source, not being detected by the equipment. © Sociedad Española de Óptica.

Activity of some isoenzymatic systems in stored coffee grains

Considering the worldwide consumption of coffee, it is natural that throughout the history many people have dedicated the research to markers that contribute somehow on gauging its quality. This research aimed to evaluate the biochemical performance of arabica coffee during storage. Coffee in beans (natural) and in parchment (pulped) dried in concrete terrace and in dryer with heated air were packed in jute bags and stored in not controlled environmental conditions. Enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, esterase and lipoxygenase in coffee grains were evaluated at zero, three, six, nine and twelve months by means of electrophoresis. Independently of the drying method, the activity of isoenzymatic complexes highlighted deteriorative processes in stored grains of coffee. The treatments 60/40º C and 60º C used to reduce the water content imposed a greater stress condition, accelerated metabolism of natural coffee in the storage with decreased activity of defense mechanisms due to latent damage in these grains. Natural coffees are more sensible to high drying temperatures and its quality reduces faster than pulped coffee in the storage.

Calling activity and vocal repertoire of hypsiboas prasinus (Anura, Hylidae), a treefrog from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

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

Submesoscale activity over the Argentinian shelf

Submesoscale activity over the Argentinian shelf is investigated by means of high resolution primitive equation numerical solutions. These reveal energetic turbulent activity (visually similar to the one occasionally seen in satellite images) at scales O(5 km) in fall and winter that is linked to mixed layer baroclinic instability. The air-sea heat flux responsible for (i) deepening the upper ocean boundary layer (at these seasons) and (ii) maintaining a cross-shelf background density gradient is the key environmental parameter controlling submesoscale activity. Implications of submesoscale turbulence are investigated. Its mixing efficiency estimated by computing a diffusivity coefficient is above 30 m(2) s(-1) away from the shallowest regions. Aggregation of surface buoyant material by submesoscale currents occurs within hours and is presumably important to the ecosystem.

Biogeography in the air: fungal diversity over land and oceans

Biogenic aerosols are relevant for the Earth system, climate, and public health on local, regional, and global scales. Up to now, however, little is known about the diversity and biogeography of airborne microorganisms. We present the first DNA-based analysis of airborne fungi on global scales, showing pronounced geographic patterns and boundaries. In particular we find that the ratio of species richness between Basidiomycota and Ascomycota is much higher in continental air than in marine air. This may be an important difference between the 'blue ocean' and 'green ocean' regimes in the formation of clouds and precipitation, for which fungal spores can act as nuclei. Our findings also suggest that air flow patterns and the global atmospheric circulation are important for the understanding of global changes in biodiversity.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Aerobic Exercise in Mice Exposed to Air Pollution

VIEIRA, R. D. P., A. C. TOLEDO, L. B. SILVA, F. M. ALMEIDA, N. R. DAMACENO-RODRIGUES, E. G. CALDINI, A. B. G. SANTOS, D. H. RIVERO, D. C. HIZUME, F. D. T. Q. S. LOPES, C. R. OLIVO, H. C. CASTRO-FARIA-NETO, M. A. MARTINS, P. H. N. SALDIVA, and M. DOLHNIKOFF. Anti-inflammatory Effects of Aerobic Exercise in Mice Exposed to Air Pollution. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 44, No. 7, pp. 1227-1234, 2012. Purpose: Exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) results in lung inflammation. Regular aerobic exercise improves the inflammatory status in different pulmonary diseases. However, the effects of long-term aerobic exercise on the pulmonary response to DEP have not been investigated. The present study evaluated the effect of aerobic conditioning on the pulmonary inflammatory and oxidative responses of mice exposed to DEP. Methods: BALB/c mice were subjected to aerobic exercise five times per week for 5 wk, concomitantly with exposure to DEP (3 mg.mL (1); 10 mu L per mouse). The levels of exhaled nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, cellularity, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and the density of neutrophils and the volume proportion of collagen fibers were measured in the lung parenchyma. The cellular density of leukocytes expressing IL-1 beta, keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), and TNF-alpha in lung parenchyma was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. The levels of IL-1 beta, KC, and TNF-alpha were also evaluated in the serum. Results: Aerobic exercise inhibited the DEP-induced increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (P < 0.05); exhaled nitric oxide (P < 0.01); total (P < 0.01) and differential cells (P < 0.01); IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05); the level of neutrophils (P < 0.001); collagen density in the lung parenchyma (P < 0.05); the levels of IL-6, KC, and TNF-alpha in plasma (P < 0.05); and the expression of IL-1 beta, KC, and TNF-alpha by leukocytes in the lung parenchyma (P < 0.01). Conclusions: We conclude that long-term aerobic exercise presents protective effects in a mouse model of DEP-induced lung inflammation. Our results indicate a need for human studies that evaluate the pulmonary responses to aerobic exercise chronically performed in polluted areas.

Coupling Between GABA(A)-R Ligand-Binding Activity and Membrane Organization in beta-Cyclodextrin-Treated Synaptosomal Membranes from Bovine Brain Cortex: New Insights from EPR Experiments

Correlations between GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)-R) activity and molecular organization of synaptosomal membranes (SM) were studied along the protocol for cholesterol (Cho) extraction with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The mere pre-incubation (PI) at 37A degrees C accompanying the beta-CD treatment was an underlying source of perturbations increasing [H-3]-FNZ maximal binding (70%) and K (d) (38%), plus a stiffening of SMs' hydrocarbon core region. The latter was inferred from an increased compressibility modulus (K) of SM-derived Langmuir films, a blue-shifted DPH fluorescence emission spectrum and the hysteresis in DPH fluorescence anisotropy (A (DPH)) in SMs submitted to a heating-cooling cycle (4-37-4A degrees C) with A (DPH,heating) < A (DPH,cooling). Compared with PI samples, the beta-CD treatment reduced B (max) by 5% which correlated with a 45%-decrement in the relative Cho content of SM, a decrease in K and in the order parameter in the EPR spectrum of a lipid spin probe labeled at C5 (5-SASL), and significantly increased A (TMA-DPH). PI, but not beta-CD treatment, could affect the binding affinity. EPR spectra of 5-SASL complexes with beta-CD-, SM-partitioned, and free in solution showed that, contrary to what is usually assumed, beta-CD is not completely eliminated from the system through centrifugation washings. It was concluded that beta-CD treatment involves effects of at least three different types of events affecting membrane organization: (a) effect of PI on membrane annealing, (b) effect of residual beta-CD on SM organization, and (c) Cho depletion. Consequently, molecular stiffness increases within the membrane core and decreases near the polar head groups, leading to a net increase in GABA(A)-R density, relative to untreated samples.

Economic Cost of Air Pollution in Cubatao - SP Based on Health Expenses Related to Diseases of the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems

The aim of this research was to evaluate economic costs of respiratory and circulatory diseases in the municipality of Cubatao, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Data on hospital admissions and on missed working days due to hospitalization (for age group 14 to 70 years old) from the database of Sistema Unico de Sa de (SUS - Brazilian National Health System) were used. Results: Based on these data, it was calculated that R$ 22.1 million were spent in the period 2000 to 2009 due to diseases of the respiratory and circulatory systems. Part of these expenses can be directly related to the emission of atmospheric pollutants in the city. In order to estimate the costs related to air pollution, data on Cubatao were compared to data from two other municipalities that are also located at the coast side (Guaruja and Peru be), but which have little industrial activity in comparison to Cubatao. It was verified that, in both, average per capita costs were lower when compared to Cubatao, but that this difference has been decreasing in recent years.