Effect of tillage on fractal indices describing soil surface microrelief of a Brazilian Alfisol

Soil surface roughness is known to influence water infiltration, runoff and erosion. Soil surface roughness changes with management and weather and its mathematical description still remains an important issue. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tillage on the two fractal indices, fractal dimension, D, and crossover length, 1, currently used in characterizing soil surface microrelief. The statistical index random roughness, RR, was also assessed. Field experiments were done on an Alfisol located at Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil). Two tillage treatments (conventional versus direct drilling) were tested. The soil surface microrelief was assessed by point elevation measurements in 16 plots for each treatment. The sampling scheme was a square grid with 20 x 20 mm between point spacing and the plot size was 280 x 280 mm, so that each data set consisted of 225 individual elevation points. All indices were calculated after trend removal, both by slope correction, i.e., oriented microrelief, and by slope plus tillage marks correction, i.e., random microrelief. The implemented algorithm for estimating D and 1 consisted in evaluating the roughness around the local root mean square deviation (RMS) of the point elevation values. Irrespective of tillage treatment and detrending procedure, fractal behavior extended only over a bounded range of scales, from 40 to 100 mm, due to the experimental setup. In these conditions, assessing fractal indices was not always straightforward. The statistical index RR and the fractal index I were significantly different between tillage treatments for oriented and random surface conditions. D values of random soil surfaces were not affected by tillage treatment, whereas D values of oriented microrelief were significantly lower in the direct drilled plots. Removal of tillage marks trend resulted in a significant increase in D values. Within each tillage treatment, 1 and D were significantly correlated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of biosensors based on hexacyanoferrates

Ferric and copper hexacyanoferrates (PB and CuHCF, respectively) were electrodeposited on glassy carbon electrodes providing a suitable catalytic surface for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide. Additionally glucose oxidase was immobilized on top of these electrodes to form glucose biosensors. The biosensors were made by casting glucose oxidase-Nafion layers onto the surface of the modified electrodes. The operational stability of the films and the biosensors were evaluated by injecting a standard solution (5 mu M H2O2 for PB, 5 mM H2O2 for CuHCF and 1.5 mM glucose for both) over 5-10 h in a now-injection system with the electrodes polarized at - 50 (PB) and -200 mV (CuHCF) versus Ag/AgCl, respectively. The glucose biosensors demonstrated suitability for glucose determination: 0.0-2.5 mM (R-2 = 0.9977) for PB and 0.0-10 mM (R-2 = 0.9927) for CuHCF, respectively. The visualization of the redox catalyst modifiers (PB and CuHCF films) was presented by scanning electron micrographs. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationship between Candida and nocturnal denture wear: quantitative study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Candida and denture wear during the night. Twenty-four edentulous volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (GI, n = 11) was composed of volunteers who wore their complete dentures day and night and Group H (GII, n = 13) was composed of volunteers who wore their complete dentures only during the day. Three examination periods were performed for both groups. In GI, the first examination (A) was carried out after overnight denture wearing. Subsequent examinations were conducted after one (B) and seven nights (C) without denture use during sleep. In GII, the first (A) was done without previous use during sleep, and the following were carried out after one (B) and seven nights (C) of overnight denture wearing. Total un-stimulated saliva was collected in a sterile container and cultured in duplicate inside Petri dishes. The values of colony forming units (CFU mL(-1) +/- s.d.) were obtained: GI A - 10.1 x 10(3) +/- 1.2 x 10(4), B - 2.0 x 10(3) +/- 2.6 x 10(3), and C - 2.6 x 10(3) +/- 5.9 x 10(3) and GII: A - 0.4 x 10(3) +/- 0.6 x 10(3), B - 9.4 x 10(3) +/- 17.7 x 10(3) and C - 6.3 x 10(3) +/- 15.3 x 10(3). The mean counts for Candida sp. were expressed as log (CFU + 1) mL(-1) and statistical significance of differences among groups was tested by ANOVA (alpha = 0.05). Multiple comparisons were performed according to Bonferroni test and indicated significant differences between A-B and A-C, but not between B and C for both groups. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between continuous denture wear and Candida sp.

Residual monomer of reline acrylic resins - Effect of water-bath and microwave post-polymerization treatments

Objectives. This study compared the residual monomer (RM) in four hard chair-side reline resins (Duraliner II-D, Kooliner-K, Tokuso Rebase Fast-TRF and Ufi Gel hard-UGH) and one heat-polymerized denture base resin (Lucitone 550-L), which was processed using two polymerization cycles (short-LS and long-LL). It was also investigated the effect of two after polymerization treatments on this RM content.Methods. Specimens (n = 18) of each material were produced following the manufacturers' instructions and then divided into three groups. Group I specimens were left untreated (GI-control). Specimens of group II (GII) were given post-polymerization treatment by microwave irradiation. In group III (GIII), specimens were submitted to immersion in water at 55 degrees C (reline resins-10 min; denture base resin L-60min). The RM was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and expressed as a percentage of RM. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05).Results. Comparing control specimens, statistical differences were found among all materials (p < 0.05), and the results can be arranged as K (1.52%) > D (0.85%) > UGH (0.45%) > LL (0.24%) > TRF (0.14%) > LS (0.08%). Immersion in hot water (GIII) promoted a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the RM for all materials evaluated compared to control (GI), with the exception of LL specimens. Materials K, UGH and TRF exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) lower values of RM after microwave irradiation (GII) than in the control specimens.Significance. The reduction in RM promoted by water-bath and microwave post-polymerization treatments could improve the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the relining and denture base materials. (c) 2006 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

2-DEOXYGLUCOSE-INDUCED FOOD-INTAKE BY NILE TILAPIA, OREOCHROMIS-NILOTICUS (L)

The alimentary and glycemic responses to cytoglycopenia were studied in thirty-one Nile tilapia alevins of indeterminate sex and age, measuring on average 10.67 +/- 0.82 cm. The cytoglycopenia was provoked by ip injection of 60 mg/kg 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG, N = 16). The control group (N = 15) was submitted to ip injection of 0.2 ml saline. Blood samples for glucose determination were obtained before and three hours after drug administration by cardiac puncture. Food was then offered ad libitum. One hour later the animals were sacrificed and their stomachs removed. The difference in wet weight between full and empty stomach was utilized to quantify the food intake. Median food intake was 0.3877 g for the fish treated with 2-DG and 0.107 g for the animals injected with saline. This difference was statistically significant by the Mann-Whitney test (P<0.05). The median values of blood glucose levels before drug injection were 46.19 mg/100 ml in the 2-DG-treated fish and 44.54 mg/100 ml in the control group. Three hours after drug administration, the values were 48.64 mg/100 ml in the experimental group and 56.90 mg/100 ml in the control group. The difference between the values of blood glucose before and after the drug was not significant for either group. We conclude that glucoprivation provokes food intake in fish and that the same glucoprivation was not sufficient to provoke hyperglycemia.

Sulfonation and anticoagulant activity of botryosphaeran from Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 grown on fructose

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

INGAP-PP up-regulates the expression of genes and proteins related to K-ATP(+) channels and ameliorates Ca2+ handling in cultured adult rat islets

Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein (INGAP) increases pancreatic beta-cell mass and potentiates glucose-induced insulin secretion. Here, we investigated the effects of the pentadecapeptide INGAP-PP in adult cultured rat islets upon the expression of proteins constitutive of the K-ATP(+) channel, Ca2+ handling, and insulin secretion. The islets were cultured in RPMI medium with or without INGAP-PP for four days. Thereafter, gene (RT-PCR) and protein expression (Western blotting) of Foxa2, SUR1 and Kir6.2, cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+](i)), static and dynamic insulin secretion, and Rb-86 efflux were measured. INGAP-PP increased the expression levels of Kir6.2, SUR1 and Foxa2 genes, and SUR1 and Foxa2 proteins. INGAP-PP cultured islets released significantly more insulin in response to 40 mM KCl and 100 mu M tolbutamide. INGAP-PP shifted to the left the dose-response curve of insulin secretion to increasing concentrations of glucose (EC50 of 10.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 13.7 +/- 1.5 mM glucose of the controls). It also increased the first phase of insulin secretion elicited by either 22.2 mM glucose or 100 mu M tolbutamide and accelerated the velocity of glucose-induced reduction of Rb-86 efflux in perifused islets. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase in [Ca2+](i) and the maintenance of a considerable degree of [Ca2+](i) oscillations. These results confirm that the enhancing effect of INGAP-PP upon insulin release, elicited by different secretagogues, is due to an improvement of the secretory function in cultured islets. Such improvement is due, at least partly, to an increased K-ATP(+) channel protein expression and/or changing in the kinetic properties of these channels and augmented [Ca2+](i) response. Accordingly, INGAP-PP could potentially be used to maintain the functional integrity of cultured islets and eventually, for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Productive and reproductive performance of heifers fed different levels of urea in the diet

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the nutrient intake, blood parameters, follicular diameter and performance of pre-puberty crossbred heifers fed isoproteic diets (14.1%CP) containing 0.0; 0.44; 0.88 and 1.32% urea on the total dry matter (DM) of the diet, with a 77:23 roughage:concentrate ratio. Twenty-four 18- month old heifers (Holstein x Zebu), 277.9 kg mean live weight (LW) were used, distributed in four treatments and six replications in a randomized complete design. The following were evaluated: dry matter intake (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE), hemicellulose (HEM), plasmatic ureic nitrogen (PUN), plasmatic glucose, plasmatic total cholesterol, follicular diameter and daily weight gain (DWG). No influence of the urea levels in the diet was observed on NDF and HEM intake. A maximum intake was obtained of DM (8.75 kg day(-1)), CP (0.88 kg day(-1)), ADF (2.5 kg day(-1)) and EE (0.17 kg day(-1)) respectively for the levels 0.7, 0.8, 0.7 and 0.7% urea in total DM. The 0.6%; 0.77% and 0.6% urea levels in diet were the critical points for obtaining maximum response for the PUN (10.96 mg dL(-1)) and plasmatic glucose (84.97 mg dL(-1)) concentrations and, for follicular diameter (11.08 mm) on the 40(th); 24(th) and 31(st) day, respectively. The plasmatic total cholesterol concentration and DWG were not influenced by the urea added to the diet, with averages of 119.39 mg dL(-1) and 1.66 kg day(-1), respectively. It was concluded that urea can be added up to 1.32% on the total DM of the diet for pre-puberty crossbred heifers.

Escherichia coli phylogenetic group determination and its application in the identification of the major animal source of fecal contamination

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

Biophysical Characterization of Interactions Involving Importin-α during Nuclear Import

Proteins containing the classical nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) are imported into the nucleus by the importin-α/β heterodimer. Importin-α contains the NLS binding site, whereas importin-β mediates the translocation through the nuclear pore. We characterized the interactions involving importin-α during nuclear import using a combination of biophysical techniques (biosensor, crystallography, sedimentation equilibrium, electrophoresis, and circular dichroism). Importin-α is shown to exist in a monomeric autoinhibited state (association with NLSs undetectable by biosensor). Association with importin-β (stoichiometry, 1:1; K D = 1.1 × 10 -8 M) increases the affinity for NLSs; the importin-α/β complex binds representative monopartite NLS (simian virus 40 large T-antigen) and bipartite NLS (nucleoplasmin) with affinities (K D = 3.5 × 10 -8 M and 4.8 × 10 -8 M, respectively) comparable with those of a truncated importin-α lacking the autoinhibitory domain (T-antigen NLS, K D = 1.7 × 10 -8 M; nucleoplasmin NLS, K D = 1.4 × 10 -8 M). The autoinhibitory domain (as a separate peptide) binds the truncated importin-α, and the crystal structure of the complex resembles the structure of full-length importin-α. Our results support the model of regulation of nuclear import mediated by the intrasteric autoregulatory sequence of importin-α and provide a quantitative description of the binding and regulatory steps during nuclear import.

Genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of organic extracts of mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill on V79 cells

Agaricus blazei Murrill, popularly known as the sun mushroom, is a native mushroom in SP, Brazil, that has been widely used in the treatment of cancer and many other pathologies in different parts of the world. A water-soluble protein-polysaccharide complex (1 → 6)β-D-glucan has been isolated from its fruiting body that showed immune-modulation activity. From organic extracts, linoleic acid has been isolated and determined to be the main substance with antimutagenic activity. Using both the micronucleus (MN) and comet (single cell microgel electrophoresis) assays, this study determined the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of A. blazei (AB) obtained from commercial sources or the following strains: a) strains AB 97/29 (young and sporulated phases); b) a mixture taken from AB 96/07, AB 96/09 and AB 97/ 11 strains; and c) commercial mushrooms from Londrina, PR and Piedade, SP, designated as AB PR and AB SP, respectively. The extracts from these mushrooms were isolated in chloroform:methanol (3:1) and used in vitro at three different concentrations. V79 cells (Chinese hamster lung cells) were exposed to the extracts under pre-, simultaneous and post-treatment conditions, combined with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Under the circumstances of this study, these organic extracts did not show any genotoxic or mutagenic effects, but did protect cells against the induction of micronuclei by MMS. Copyright by the Brazilian Society of Genetics.

New biflavonoid and other flavonoids from the leaves of Chimarrhis turbinata and their antioxidant activities

A new biflavonol, named chimarrhoside (1), and eight known flavonol glycosides (2-9), were isolated from the leaves of Chimarrhis turbinata. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments as quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranoside (4), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D- galactopyranoside (5), 6-hydroxy-rutin (6), kaempferol-3-O-D-galactopyranoside (7), kaempferol-3-O-D-glucopyranoside (8) and kaempferol-3-O-α- Lrhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4) -β-D-glucopyranoside (9). In addition, catechin (10) and catechin-(4α→8)-catechin-procyanidin B-3) (11) were isolated. The crude extract, fractions and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidative properties using an autographic assay based on β-carotene bleaching on TLC plates, and spectrophotometric detection by reduction of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. Flavonoids 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11 displayed strong free radical scavenging activity, when compared with the standards BHT and rutin. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Mapeamento da produtividade e perímetro do tronco de clones de seringueira em argissolo vermelho amarelo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Remoção de etanol e benzeno em reator anaeróbio horizontal de leito fixo na presença de sulfato

In this study it is reported the operation of a horizontalflow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAlB) reactor under sulfate-reducing condition which was also exposed to different amounts of ethanol and benzene. The HAIB reactor comprised of an immobilized biomass on polyurethane foam and ferrous and sodium sulfate solutions were used (91 and 550 mg.l -1, respectively), to promote a sulfate-reducing environment. Benzene was added at an initial concentration of 2.0 mg.l -1 followed by an increased to 9 e 10 mg. l -1, respectively. Ethanol was added at an initial concentration of 170 mg.l -1 followed by an increased range of 960 mg.l -1. The reactor was operated at 30 (± 2) °C with hydraulic detention time of 12 h. Organic matter removal efficiency of 90% with a maximum benzene degradation rate of 0.07 mv, benzene.mg -1 vss.d -1 Thus, this work corroborate the data obtained for Cattony et al (2005) and also demonstrate that compact units of HAIB reactors, under sulfate reducing conditions, are a potential alternative for in situ aromatic compounds bioremediation.

Interaction between total-etch and self-etch adhesives and conventional and self-adhesive resin cements

The aim of this study was to compare the bond strength to enamel between resin cements combined with total-etch and self-etch adhesive systems and a self-adhesive cement. Eighty bovine incisors had their buccal surface ground flat exposing a plane area in the enamel. Eighty Artglass resin cylinders measuring 3 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height were fabricated. The teeth were divided into eight groups of 10 teeth each and the resin cylinders were cemented with different adhesive systems and resin cements; G1: RelyX Unicem (self-adhesive cement); G2: H 3PO 4 + Single Bond + RelyX ARC; G3: AdheSE + Variolink II; G4: H 3PO 4 + Excite + Variolink II; G5: Xeno III + Enforce; G6: H 3PO 4 + Prime&Bond NT + Enforce; G7: Biatite Primers 1 and 2 + Bistite II DC; G8: H 3PO 4 + Bistite Primers 1 and 2 + Bistite II DC. After application of the adhesives, the cylinders were cemented according to manufacturer instructions. The specimens were submitted to 2000 thermal cycles at a temperature ranging from 5±5°C to 55±5°C, and shear bond strength was then tested at a variety of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey's test (á=5%), obtaining a p value of 0.00. The following mean (±standard deviation) bond strength values were observed for each group: G1: 5.14(±0.99)a; G3: 16.23(±4.69)b; G7: 17.82(±3.66)b; G5: 18.48(±2.88)bc; G8: 20.15(±4.12)bc; G4: 22.85(±3.08)cd; G2: 24.96(±2.89)d; G6: 26.07(±1.69)d. Groups followed by the same letters did not differ significantly. For most of the resin cements tested, the application of adhesive systems using acid etching resulted in a higher bond strength when compared to the self-etch adhesive systems and to the self-adhesive cement.