Micropropagación de Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq. vía organogénesis directa

The present research was aimed at standardizing the protocol of seed disinfection, seed germination and organogenesis via callus of Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq.The germinated seeds were inoculated in different concentrations of BAP (benzylamine purine) and NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) in order to stimulate the callus induction. After 60 days of culture, the calluses with some shoots were taken to an organogenesis medium (GA3 0.1 mg.L -1, BAP 0.5 mg.L-1) during 40 days, to be transferred later to a development medium. Finally, the plantules were acclimatized, presenting a good index of survival.

Carotenóides totais em Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miq. cultivadas in vitro

The aim of the present work was to compare the content of carotenoids between callus and regenerated plants of Pothomorphe umbellate. Germinated seeds (40 days old) were inoculated in different concentrations and combinations of BAP (benzylaminopurine) and NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) in order to stimulate the callus' production. After 60 days of culture, the callus containing some shoots were transferred to organogenesis medium (GA 3 0.1 mg L -1, BAP 0.5 mg L -1) for 40 days. Next, they were subcultivated in a medium for seedling growth (without regulators) for 40 days. Callus (collected after 60 days) and seedlings (collected after 140 days) were frozen in liquid nitrogen and kept under -80°C for future carotenoids' analysis. The highest concentration of carotenoids was found in plants cultivated in medium without regulators. The callus did not showed difference concerning the culture medium; however, they presented lower content of carotenoids in relation to plants.

Design of microstructure of zirconia foams from the emulsion template properties

In this work, we investigate the correlations between structural and rheological properties of emulsified aqueous sol and the porous microstructure of monolithic zirconia foams, manufactured by the integrative combination of the sol-gel and emulsification processes. Macroporous zirconia ceramics prepared using different amounts of decahydronaphthalene, as oil phase, are compared in terms of the emulsion microstructure and ceramic porosity. A combination of electrical conductivity, oil droplet diameter, and rheological measurements was used to highlight the key effect of the dynamic structural properties of the emulsion on the porosity of the ceramic zirconia foam. The minimization of drying shrinkage by appropriate sol-gel mineralization of the oil droplet wall enabled versatile and easy tuning of the ceramic foam microstructure, by fine adjustment of the emulsion characteristics. The foam with the highest porosity (90%) and the lowest bulk density (0.40 g cm-3) was prepared from emulsion with 80 wt% of decahydronaphthalene, which also showed a bicontinuous structure and elevated flow consistency. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.

Avaliação da toxicidade e caracterização de hidrocarbonetos presentes em águas de rios que recebem efluente de indústria petroquímica

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular) - IBRC

Biodegradação de naftaleno, fenantreno e diesel por isolados do gênero Burkholderia da Amazônia

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Propagação da espécie Trichilia catigua A. Juss (Catiguá)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Protocolo para micropropagação de bananeira ‘Thap maeo’

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Identification of folding intermediates of streblin, the most stable serine protease: biophysical analysis

Streblin, a serine proteinase from plant Streblus asper, has been used to investigate the conformational changes induced by pH, temperature, and chaotropes. The near/far UV circular dichroism activities under fluorescence emission spectroscopy and 8-aniline-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) binding have been carried out to understand the unfolding of the protein in the presence of denaturants. Spectroscopic studies reveal that streblin belongs to the alpha+beta class of proteins and exhibits stability towards chemical denaturants, guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). The pH-induced transition of this protein is noncooperative for transition phases between pH 0.5 and 2.5 (midpoint, 1.5) and pH 2.5 and 10.0 (midpoint, 6.5). At pH 1.0 or lower, the protein unfolds to form acid-unfolded state, and for pH 7.5 and above, protein turns into an alkaline denatured state characterized by the absence of ANS binding. At pH 2.0 (1M GuHCl), streblin exists in a partially unfolded state with characteristics of amolten globule state. The protein is found to exhibit strong and predominant ANS binding. In total, six different intermediate states has been identified to show protein folding pathways.

Empreendedorismo e plano de negócio para novo negócio em empresa

This study presents the development of a business plan to assist in decision making. The feasibility of a new plant capable of producing a polymer known as naphthalene sulfonate is being studied. CSN National Steel Company operates in several areas and encourages employees to seek innovation, supports and assists in the development of this project. This study also discusses entrepreneurship and its expansion into the enterprise corporate entrepreneurship. Explaining the importance and the role in large companies. The business plan is a great tool and demonstrated, mainly in the marketing plan, evidences of project feasibility

Benzilaminopurina e ácido naftaleno acético na indução e multiplicação in vitro de gemas de abacaxizeiro da cultivar 'IAC Gomo-de-mel'

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de BAP (6-benzilaminopurina) e NAA (ácido naftaleno acético) na indução, na multiplicação in vitro de gemas, nas brotações de Ananas comosus da cultivar 'IAC Gomo-de-mel' e a correlação desses efeitos com a atividade de peroxidase e o teor de proteína solúvel total. Foram utilizadas gemas axilares retiradas da coroa de frutos sadios, inoculadas em tubo de ensaio contendo meio de cultura MS solidificado com ágar a 5%, pH ajustado para 5,7, contendo os tratamentos que incluíam diferentes concentrações e combinações de BAP (0, 0,5, 1,0 e 1,5mg L-1) e NAA (0, 0,5 e 1,0mg L-1). Nessa fase, aos 65 dias, ocorreu a formação de 2,24 brotações, utilizando-se 1mg L-1 de BAP. Após o desenvolvimento, as gemas foram inoculadas em meio MS líquido associado a dois tratamentos (1,0mg L-1 BAP + 0,5mg L-1 NAA e 1,0mg L-1 BAP + 1,0mg L-1 NAA) e, aos 95 dias, o meio de cultura mais adequado foi aquele que continha 1,0mg L-1 BAP + 0,5mg L-1 NAA, proporcionando 7,42 brotações, menor porcentagem de hiper-hidricidade, maior número de brotações e indução de gemas. As proteínas solúveis apresentaram relação negativa com hiper-hidricidade e comprimento de brotações. A atividade da peroxidase foi maior em plantas com maior número de brotos e com maior porcentagem de hiper-hidricidade.

Uso da cromatografia gasosa para avaliação da difusão em membrana de Polietileno de Alta Densidade (pead) em contato com hidrocarboneto

The constant petrol fuel leak in gas stations has caused concern in many countries around the world. Those fuels have toxic organic compounds in their composition, like Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), which are harmful to the human health. In this work the efficiency of the protection layer with a High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) membrane of 2.5 mm thickness was evaluated. The study was based in the diffusive process in the intact membrane by a permeameter developed to evaluate the diffusive process. The membrane was putted in the middle of the system to separate two sides: a local soil impregnated with diesel oil (in one side) and pure water (in the other side). The chromatography technique was conducted to evaluate the contamination in the pure water. The analyses were made monthly in a total period of 6 months of research. The results tests show that the membrane was less effective to antracene and naphthalene compounds. Despite that, the results showed that the HDPE membrane is a good alternative to prevent contamination of water and soil by the compounds under study up to one year, based on the performance in the time of study.

Mutagenicity of Blue Rayon Extracts of Fish Bile as a Biomarker in a Field Study

Blue rayon (BR) in combination with the Salmonella/microsome assay was used to evaluate the mutagenicity of fish bile samples. Specimens of Mugil curema from two sites were collected over a 1-year period. Piacaguera channel contains high concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other contaminants, while Bertioga channel was considered the reference sites in this study. Bile was extracted with BR and tested with TA98, TA100, and YG1041 strains with and without S9 in dose response experiments. PAH metabolite equivalents were analyzed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography /fluorescence. Higher mutagenic responses were observed for the contaminated site; YG1041 with S9 was the most sensitive strain/condition. Mutagenicity ranged from 3,900 to 14,000 rev./mg at the contaminated site and from 1,200 to 2,500 rev./mg of BR at the reference site. The responses of YG1041 were much higher in comparison with the TA98 indicating the presence of polycyclic compounds from the aromatic amine class that cause frameshift mutation. TA100 showed a positive mutagenic response that was enhanced following S9 treatment at both sites suggesting the presence of polycyclic compounds that require metabolic activation. benzo(a)pyrene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene metabolite equivalents were also higher in the bile of fish collected at the contaminated site. It was not possible to correlate the PAH metabolite quantities with the mutagenic potency. Thus, a combination of the Salmonella/microsome assay with YG1041 with S9 from BR bile extract seems to be an acceptable biomarker for monitoring the exposure of fish to mutagenic polycyclic compounds. Environ. Mal. Mutagen. 51:173-179, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Diversity of hydrocarbon-degrading Klebsiella strains isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated estuaries

To investigate the diversity and the catabolic capacity of oil-degrading Klebsiella strains isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments in Santos-Sao Vicente estuary systems in Brazil. Klebsiella strains obtained from the estuary were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and BOX-PCR patterns, testing their catabolic capacity to degrade toluene, xylene, naphthalene and nonane, and identifying the catabolic genes present in the oil-degrading strains. Results show that Klebsiella strains were widespread in the estuary. Twenty-one isolates from the Klebsiella genus were obtained; 14 had unique BOX patterns and were further investigated. Among four distinct catabolic genes tested (todC1, ndoB, xylE and alkB1), only the todC1 gene could be amplified in two Klebsiella strains. The biodegradation assay showed that most of the strains had the ability to degrade all of the tested hydrocarbons; however, the strains displayed different efficiencies. The oil-degrading Klebsiella isolates obtained from the estuary were closely related to Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella ornithinolytica. The isolates demonstrated a substantial degree of catabolic plasticity for hydrocarbon degradation. The results of this study show that several strains from the Klebsiella genus are able to degrade diverse hydrocarbon compounds. These findings indicate that Klebsiella spp. can be an important part of the oil-degrading microbial community in estuarine areas exposed to sewage.

Combustion of coal, bagasse and blends thereof Part II: Speciation of PAH emissions

This work reports on emissions of unburned hydrocarbon species from batch combustion of fixed beds of coal, sugar-cane bagasse, and blends thereof in a pre-heated two-stage laboratory furnace operated in the temperature range of 800-1000 degrees C. The effects of fuel blending, combustion staging, and operating furnace temperatures on emissions of pollutants were assessed. Furnace effluents were analyzed for products of incomplete combustion (PICs) including CO, volatile and semi-volatile hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, as has been reported in Ref. [1]. Emitted unburned hydrocarbons include traces of potentially health-hazardous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are the focus of this work. Under the batch combustion conditions implemented herein, PAH were only generated during the volatile combustion phase of the fuels. The most prevalent species were in descending order: naphthalene, acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, dibenzofuran, benzofuran, byphenyl, fluorene, 9H-fluoren-9-one, acephenantrylene, benzo[b] fluoranthene, 1-methyl-naphthalene; 2-methyl-naphthalene, benz[a] anthracene and benzo[a] pyrene. PAH yields were the highest from combustion of neat bagasse. Combustion of the blends resulted in lower yields of PAH, than combustion of either of their neat fuel constituents. Increasing the furnace operating temperature enhanced the PAH emissions from bagasse, but had little effect on those from the coal or from the blends. Flue gas treatment in a secondary-stage furnace, upon with additional air, typically reduced PAH yields by promoting oxidation of the primary-stage furnace effluents. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Novel properties of melanins include promotion of DNA strand breaks, impairment of repair, and reduced ability to damage DNA after quenching of singlet oxygen

Melanins have been associated with the development of melanoma and its resistance to photodynamic therapy (PDT). Singlet molecular oxygen (102), which is produced by ultraviolet A solar radiation and the PDT system, is also involved. Here, we investigated the effects that these factors have on DNA damage and repair. Our results show that both types of melanin (eumelanin and pheomelanin) lead to DNA breakage in the absence of light irradiation and that eumelanin is more harmful than pheomelanin. Interestingly, melanins were found to bind to the minor grooves of DNA, guaranteeing close proximity to DNA and potentially causing the observed high levels of strand breaks. We also show that the interaction of melanins with DNA can impair the access of repair enzymes to lesions, contributing to the perpetuation of DNA damage. Moreover, we found that after melanins interact with 102, they exhibit a lower ability to induce DNA breakage; we propose that these effects are due to modifications of their structure. Together, our data highlight the different modes of action of the two types of melanin. Our results may have profound implications for cellular redox homeostasis, under conditions of induced melanin synthesis and irradiation with solar light. These results may also be applied to the development of protocols to sensitize melanoma cells to PDT. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.