Attempts to vaccinate ewes and their lambs against natural infection with Haemonchus contortus in a tropical environment

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

Piperine, a natural bioenhancer, nullifies the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of curcumin in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

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

Studies of natural killer cells in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis

The number and activity of natural killer (NK) cells were studied in 34 untreated patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, 20 with the chronic form of the disease and 14 with the acute form. NK cells were detected with monoclonal antibody Leu-11c and the cytotoxic activity was measured using a single cell assay against K562 target cells. Both groups of patients had an increased number of circulating NK cells, their cytotoxic activity being significantly lower than in the healthy controls. These findings may be of importance in the immunological disturbances associated with paracoccidioidomycosis since NK cells exert important immune effector functions and may play a role in resistance against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

The occurrence of UV filters in natural and drinking water in São Paulo State (Brazil)

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely used in the formulation of personal care products (PCPs) to prevent damage to the skin, lips, and hair caused by excessive UV radiation. Therefore, large amounts of these substances are released daily into the aquatic environment through either recreational activities or the release of domestic sewage. The concern regarding the presence of such substances in the environment and the exposure of aquatic organisms is based on their potential for bioaccumulation and their potential as endocrine disruptors. Although there are several reports regarding the occurrence and fate of UV filters in the aquatic environment, these compounds are still overlooked in tropical areas. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of the organic UV filters benzophenone-3 (BP-3), ethylhexyl salicylate (ES), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), and octocrylene (OC) in six water treatment plants in various cities in Southeast Brazil over a period of 6 months to 1 year. All of the UV filters studied were detected at some time during the sampling period; however, only EHMC and BP-3 were found in quantifiable concentrations, ranging from 55 to 101 and 18 to 115 ng L(-1), respectively. Seasonal variation of BP-3 was most clearly noticed in the water treatment plant in Araraquara, São Paulo, where sampling was performed for 12 months. BP-3 was not quantifiable in winter but was quantifiable in summer. The levels of BP-3 were in the same range in raw, treated and chlorinated water, indicating that the compound was not removed by the water treatment process.

Review of The Science, Impacts and Monitoring of Drought in Western Canada: Proceedings of the 2004 Prairie Drought Workshop Edited by Dave Sauchyn, Madhav Khandekar, and E. Ray Garnett

Drought is not an unusual phenomenon on the Canadian prairies or the U.S. Great Plains. There were many short-term droughts in the prairies during the 20th century that generally lasted one to two years (e.g., 1961, 1988). The Canadian prairies multi-year drought event (1999-2003+) has been considered similar in severity to the 1930s drought years. The 2004 Prairie Drought Workshop resulted in 76 scientists and resource managers gathering in Calgary, Alberta, to share information on drought science, impacts, and monitoring. Presenters examined the impacts on agriculture, stream flow, forests, and ground water, including potential impacts under a changed climate. Though focused on the Canadian prairies, the information presented could be applied to many parts of the U.S. Great Plains.

Simulations of Ground-Water Flow, Transport, Age, and Particle Tracking near York, Nebraska, for a Study of Transport of Anthropogenic and Natural Contaminants (TANC) to Public-Supply Wells

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is committed to providing the Nation with credible scientific information that helps to enhance and protect the overall quality of life and that facilitates effective management of water, biological, energy, and mineral resources (http://www.usgs.gov/). Information on the Nation’s water resources is critical to ensuring long-term availability of water that is safe for drinking and recreation and is suitable for industry, irrigation, and fish and wildlife. Population growth and increasing demands for water make the availability of that water, now measured in terms of quantity and quality, even more essential to the long-term sustainability of our communities and ecosystems. The USGS implemented the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program in 1991 to support national, regional, State, and local information needs and decisions related to water-quality management and policy (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa). The NAWQA Program is designed to answer: What is the condition of our Nation’s streams and ground water? How are conditions changing over time? How do natural features and human activities affect the quality of streams and ground water, and where are those effects most pronounced? By combining information on water chemistry, physical characteristics, stream habitat, and aquatic life, the NAWQA Program aims to provide science-based insights for current and emerging water issues and priorities. From 1991-2001, the NAWQA Program completed interdisciplinary assessments and established a baseline understanding of water-quality conditions in 51 of the Nation’s river basins and aquifers, referred to as Study Units (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/studyu.html).

Patients With Endometriosis of the Rectosigmoid Have a Higher Percentage of Natural Killer Cells in Peripheral Blood

Study Objective: To estimate the concentration of natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood in patients with and without endometriosis. Design: Case-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting: Tertiary referral hospital. Patients: One hundred fifty-five patients who had undergone videolaparoscopy were divided into 2 groups: those with endometriosis (n = 100) and those without endometriosis (n = 55). Interventions: The percentage of NK cells relative to peripheral lymphocytes was quantified at flow cytometry in 155 patients who had undergone laparoscopy. In addition to verifying the presence of endometriosis, stage of disease and the sites affected were also evaluated. Measurements and Main Results: The mean (SD) percentage of NK cells was higher (15.3% [9.8%]) in patients with endometriosis than in the group without the disease (10.6% [5.8%]) (p < .001). The percentage of NK cells was highest (19.8 [10.3%]) in patients with advanced stages of endometriosis and in those in whom the rectosigmoid colon was affected. In a statistical model of probability, the association of this marker (NK cells >= 11%) with the presence of symptoms such as pain and intestinal bleeding during menstruation and the absence of previous pregnancy yielded a 78% likelihood of the rectosigmoid colon being affected. Conclusion: Compared with patients without endometriosis, those with endometriosis demonstrate a higher concentration of peripheral NK cells. The percentage of NK cells is greater, primarily in patients with advanced stages of endometriosis involving the rectosigmoid colon. Therefore, it may serve as a diagnostic marker for this type of severe endometriosis, in particular if considered in conjunction with the symptoms. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (2012) 19, 317-324 (C) 2012 AAGL. All rights reserved.

Photoinduced orientation in natural rubber

Azobenzene molecules and their derivatives have been widely investigated for their potential applications in optical and electrooptical devices. We have prepared a new guest-host system from natural rubber (NR) impregnated with azobenzene derivative Sudan Red B (SRB). The effects of stretching and immersion time on photoinduced orientation were investigated by birefringence signal measurements. We have found that the molecular orientation increase when the samples are stretched and decrease with the increase of immersion time. The first behavior was explained by using the random coil model and the latter was attributed to increase of the aggregation of SRB into NR matrix. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic starch composites obtained by melt processing

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) from industrial non-modified corn starch was obtained and reinforced with natural strands. The influence of the reinforcement on physical-chemical properties of the composites obtained by melt processing has been analyzed. For this purpose, composites reinforced with different amounts of either sisal or hemp strands have been prepared and evaluated in terms of crystallinity, water sorption, thermal and mechanical properties. The results showed that the incorporation of sisal or hemp strands caused an increase in the glass transition temperature (T-g) of the TPS as determined by DMTA. The reinforcement also increased the stiffness of the material, as reflected in both the storage modulus and the Young's modulus. Intrinsic mechanical properties of the reinforcing fibers showed a lower effect on the final mechanical properties of the materials than their homogeneity and distribution within the matrix. Additionally, the addition of a natural latex plasticizer to the composite decreased the water absorption kinetics without affecting significantly the thermal and mechanical properties of the material. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fracture and resistance-curve behavior in hybrid natural fiber and polypropylene fiber reinforced composites

This article presents the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of fracture and resistance-curve behavior of hybrid natural fiber- and synthetic polymer fiber-reinforced composites that are being developed for potential applications in affordable housing. Fracture and resistance-curve behavior are studied using single-edge notched bend specimens. The sisal fibers used were examined using atomic force microscopy for fiber bundle structures. The underlying crack/microstructure interactions and fracture mechanisms are elucidated via in situ optical microscopy and ex-situ environmental scanning microscopy techniques. The observed crack bridging mechanisms are modeled using small and large scale bridging concepts. The implications of the results are then discussed for the design of eco-friendly building materials that are reinforced with natural and polypropylene fibers.

Crossing over does occur in males of Drosophila ananassae from natural populations

Spontaneous crossing over in males of Drosophila ananassae has been well demonstrated using F-1 individuals from crosses between marker stocks and wild type strains. However, the question of its occurrence in males from natural populations remained open. Here we present the cytological evidence that crossing over does occur in males of D. ananassae from two Brazilian populations, sampled nearly 21 years apart, and in two recently sampled populations, one from Indonesia and one from Okinawa, Japan. Cytological analysis of meiosis in males collected from nature and in sons of females from the same population inseminated in nature revealed the presence of chiasmata, inversion chiasmata, and isosite chromosome breakages in the diplotene cells in all sampled populations. These data demonstrate that reciprocal and nonreciprocal exchanges and chromosome breakages, previously reported as related events of male crossing over, do occur at variable frequencies among males from natural populations.

Science and Society: The Case of Acceptance of Newtonian Optics in the Eighteenth Century

The present paper presents a historical study on the acceptance of Newton's corpuscular theory of light in the early eighteenth century. Isaac Newton first published his famous book Opticks in 1704. After its publication, it became quite popular and was an almost mandatory presence in cultural life of Enlightenment societies. However, Newton's optics did not become popular only via his own words and hands, but also via public lectures and short books with scientific contents devoted to general public (including women) that emerged in the period as a sort of entertainment business. Lectures and writers stressed the inductivist approach to the study of nature and presented Newton's ideas about optics as they were consensual among natural philosophers in the period. The historical case study presented in this paper illustrates relevant aspects of nature of science, which can be explored by students of physics on undergraduate level or in physics teacher training programs.

Ethnobotany of natural fibres - Bactris setosa (tucum) in a traditional rural community

This work aimed to study the characteristics of the fibres of the species Bactris setosa ('tucum') used by close-knit social groups, located in Sorocaba - Sao Paulo - Brazil, in basket-making techniques, for possible applications in textile activity. Optical microscopy (NBR 13 538:1995) and Tensile Properties (ASTM D 3 822-2001) were used to assess properties such as the fibre structre, linear density, breaking force, elongation at break and breaking tenacity of each species. Bactris setosa showed a longitudinal view similar to that of sisal; an average linear density of 41.2 tex, a tenacity average of 11.96 cN/tex, closer to fiberglass, and an elongation ranging between 1.35 and 3.87%. It is important to clarify the delicacy and detail of the tests, and from this we highlight the importance of carrying out these studies, based on which science and technology must be linked with socio-environmental aspects.

Effect of natural antioxidant combinations on lipid oxidation in cooked chicken meat during refrigerated storage

The effect of combinations of sage, oregano and honey on lipid oxidation in cooked chicken meat during refrigeration at 4 degrees C for 96 h was determined. Chicken samples (thigh and breast) were then separated into five groups; control; butylated hydroxytoluene; oregano + sage; oregano + sage + 5%honey and oregano + sage + 10%honey. Quantitative measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, conjugated dienes, hexanal, fatty acids, cholesterol and cholesterol oxides were used as indicators of lipid oxidation. Acceptability and preference were also evaluated. The effectiveness of the natural antioxidants for reducing the velocity of lipid oxidation in cooked chicken thigh and breast was demonstrated after 48 and 96 h of refrigeration at 4 degrees C. The treatments that presented the lowest hexanal values after 96 h of refrigeration were oregano + sage + 5%honey and oregano + sage + 10%honey. Only traces of free cholesterol oxides were found (25-OH, 7-k, 7 alpha-OH and 7 beta-OH). The natural antioxidants protected cooked chicken meat from oxidation processes and resulted in great acceptability. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Natural rubber latex LbL films: Characterization and growth of fibroblasts

The recent biomedical applications of natural rubber (NR) latex, mostly in dry membranes, have motivated research into novel, more noble uses of this low-cost biomaterial. In this article, we provide the first report on the fabrication of layer-by-layer (LbL) films of NR alternated with the polyelectrolytes polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH). Stable (PAH/NR)n and (PEI/NR)n LbL films displayed similar physicochemical properties, but differed in terms of film morphology according to atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data. Most significantly, (PEI/NR)5 LbL films were made of smaller and flattened particles, which were not efficient for the growth and proliferation of normal human fibroblasts (NHF). In contrast, efficient NHF proliferation could be obtained with (PAH/NR)n LbL films, with the fibroblasts exhibiting the expected elongated morphology. Furthermore, cell growth did not occur for cast films of NR, thus demonstrating the suitability of the LbL method for this biologically related application. The differences between the two polyelectrolytes illustrate the importance of the film architecture and morphology, which open the way for exploiting the molecular control inherent in the LbL technique for further applications of NR-containing films. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012