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The variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, has claimed more human lives than all other infectious diseases combined. Consequently, any epidemiological event involving related viruses (orthopoxviruses) triggers significant concern, as was the case with the pandemic rise of monkeypox virus (MPXV), the causative agent of monkeypox in 2022−2023. Smallpox vaccines, based on vaccinia virus antigens, are expected to provide cross‐protection against MPXV. Studying the general seroprevalence of orthopoxviruses in populations worldwide is crucial for estimating susceptibility, risks, and the need for vaccination campaigns. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of antibodies capable of recognizing MPXV in a Brazilian population and assess the potential for cross‐protection from previous smallpox vaccinations. We analyzed demographic data, vaccination records, and serum levels of anti‐MPXV IgG measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 319 volunteers from Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil. Our main findings show that the numbers of volunteers with serum samples recognizing MPXV in ELISA, as well as their serum levels of anti‐MPXV IgG, did not differ significantly according to gender or address type. However, both male and female elderly volunteers exhibited significantly higher concentrations of anti‐MPXV IgG than adults, youth, and children. These results suggest that the elderly may benefit from a cross‐reactive immune response due to previous smallpox vaccinations, whereas adults, youth, and children appear susceptible to MPXV. Further investigations involving other populations are necessary to assess the necessity of vaccinating potentially vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fruit processing industry, a large volume of residue is generated, which is usually discarded. However, fruit residues may have appeal as functional ingredients due to the presence of bioactive compound. In this study, the drying of acerola residue in a medium‐sized conventional spouted bed was investigated. The residue was characterized; vitamin C and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were determined to evaluate the effect of drying on bioactive compounds. To overcome the difficulty of material fluidization, a mixture composed of in natura acerola residue and acerola residue previously dried in an oven as an inert material was used. The effect of air temperature (40 and 60°C) and velocity (28 and 36 m/s) and amount of in natura residue in the mixture (20% and 30%) was evaluated during drying. As expected, higher temperatures and air velocities and lower percentages of in natura residue favored the reduction of moisture. For a mixture containing 20% in natura residue, air velocity of 36 m/s, and temperature of 60°C, it was possible to achieve a final moisture content suitable for storage (14.23% w.b.) and the highest percentage of DPPH free radical capture activity (85.31%). Moreover, a mixture containing 30% in natura residue, velocity of 28 m/s, and temperature of 40°C conserved more vitamin C (48.30 mg of ascorbic acid/100 g). Finally, spouted bed can be considered a good technique for drying acerola residue as it was able to reduce a high amount of moisture content preserving bioactive compounds during short drying periods at low temperatures. Practical Applications: The acerola processing generates a residue that consists basically of the seeds, bagasse, and peels, which is rich in ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and organic acids. This residue can be used to generate new food products, which reduces the environmental problem of its disposal and the loss of raw material in fruit processing. To extend the residue shelf life, it must be subjected to a drying process. In this paper, the drying of acerola residue was investigated in a medium‐sized spouted bed. The spouted bed proved effectiveness in drying the acerola residue and in conserving bioactive compounds when operating for short periods and with low temperature. Thus, it can be considered as a promising technique for drying food products. Also, the data provided in this study can contribute to the solution of the scale‐up problem in spouted beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water deficits have been considered the most restrictive environmental constraint on agricultural production worldwide. The current study aimed to investigate the role of silicon nutrition (Si) in activating defence mechanisms against drought damage in cowpea cultivars. The experiments were carried out in a randomized block design in a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two cowpea cultivars (BRS Novaera and BRS Tumucumaque), two water regimes (control well‐irrigated and water deficit) and four Si levels (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mM). Plant growth and physiological and biochemical indicators were evaluated 28 days after drought imposition. Drought significantly reduced the photosynthetic pigments (Chl b and Chl total), gas exchanges (net photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance) and, consequently, all growth parameters of cowpea plants compared with well‐irrigated plants. However, Si at 2.0 mM activated critical responses in the BRS Novaera cultivar under drought, almost recovering plant performance and increasing drought tolerance. The beneficial Si‐induced effects were closely related to increased accumulation of Si, carbohydrates and free amino acids that likely promoted osmoregulation and were associated with an improved antioxidant system composed of proline and the activity of SOD, CAT and APX. These metabolic alterations were sufficient to enable enhanced net photosynthesis and plant growth. In conclusion, Si counteracts the deleterious effects of water deficit by efficiently inducing antioxidant defence and photosynthetic performance in Novaera plants. Si nutrition may constitute a potential strategy to cultivate cowpea plants in water‐scarce areas from arid and semiarid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities have increased the intensity and frequency of natural stressors and created novel stressors, altering host–pathogen interactions and changing the risk of emerging infectious diseases. Despite the ubiquity of such anthropogenic impacts, predicting the directionality of outcomes has proven challenging. Here, we conduct a review and meta‐analysis to determine the primary mechanisms through which stressors affect host–pathogen interactions and to evaluate the impacts stress has on host fitness (survival and fecundity) and pathogen infectivity (prevalence and intensity). We assessed 891 effect sizes from 71 host species (representing seven taxonomic groups) and 78 parasite taxa from 98 studies. We found that infected and uninfected hosts had similar sensitivity to stressors and that responses varied according to stressor type. Specifically, limited resources compromised host fecundity and decreased pathogen intensity, while abiotic environmental stressors (e.g., temperature and salinity) decreased host survivorship and increased pathogen intensity, and pollution increased mortality but decreased pathogen prevalence. We then used our meta‐analysis results to develop susceptible–infected theoretical models to illustrate scenarios where infection rates are expected to increase or decrease in response to resource limitations or environmental stress gradients. Our results carry implications for conservation and disease emergence and reveal areas for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application range of polyamide 6 in lightweight part applications can be significantly increased by using appropriate processing parameters and by incorporating additives. Therefore, specimens were manufactured at varying mold temperatures and injection velocities to study the effect of injection molding parameters on the properties of polyamide 6 and its nanocomposite with nano‐calcium carbonate. Mechanical properties, degree of crystallinity, density, heat deflection temperature, and melt flow index were measured to assess the effect of injection molding conditions on material properties. Mold temperature was the process factor that most affected polyamide 6 and polyamide 6/nano‐calcium carbonate properties. Increasing this parameter increased density, impact strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and heat deflection temperature. The nanocomposite's degree of crystallinity, tensile modulus, and melt flow index also increased. High injection velocity reduced only the impact strength of the nanocomposite. The findings indicate that by modifying injection parameters, it is possible to improve mechanical properties and processing efficiency of polyamide 6 and its nanocomposites, bringing them closer to their maximum potential. Incorporating the nanofiller increased almost all properties except for impact strength and elongation at break. Nano‐calcium carbonate provided considerable advantages to polyamide 6 mechanical performance and processability while increasing sample weight by only 1.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemocytes are circulating blood cells that play a crucial function in amphipods and other crustacean immune systems. The hemocytes of the marine tropical amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis have been used for the evaluation of DNA damage and micronuclei, but they have not been characterized in the scientific literature. The aim of this study was to describe the hemolymph cells of P. hawaiensis and study their phagocytotic activity. Basic dyes were used to differentiate the cell types and the presence of lipids. The total hemocyte counts (THCs) and the proportion and sizes of the hemocyte types were determined. Hemolymph was exposed to Escherichia coli for verification of the presence of phagocytosis. Three cell types, all containing lipids, were identified in P. hawaiensis: granulocytes (oval shape, 13.4 × 7.6 μm), semi‐granulocytes (oval shape, 14.1 × 7.2 μm), and hyalinocytes (round shape, 9.6 × 7.2 μm). Those three cell types were found in different percentages in males (64.8%, 31.1%, and 4.2%) and females (70.1%, 28.2%, and 1.7%). THCs for males were 9007 ± 3800 cells per individual and 4695 ± 1892 cells per individual for females. The cells of E. coli were phagocytized by the hemocytes. Our findings increased the knowledge of hemocytes in P. hawaiensis and is a step forward in using hemocyte‐based immune responses as an endpoint in ecotoxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study sought to map schemas of five types of love and characterize their commonalities and differences in the Brazilian context. Two studies were carried out sequentially. In Study 1, 537 adults answered open‐ended questions about friends' love, romantic love, parental love, filial love, and self‐love. Responses for descriptions of the different types of love were grouped into 29 thematic categories. In Study 2, we tested the degree of representativeness of these 29 categories for the five types of love. Five hundred thirteen adults from all regions of Brazil participated. Results from two studies showed that each type of love has peculiarities that distinguish them from the others and that "understanding" is the common core of all types of love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last several years, lignin hydroxypropylation with propylene oxide (PO) has been used as the main strategy to overcome lignin limitations, such as its low reactivity, poor dispersion, and high stiffness, in the context of polyurethane (PU) synthesis. However, PO is a flammable, toxic, and carcinogenic compound. Propylene carbonate (PC), a compound with low toxicity and biodegradability, has emerged as a feasible alternative to PO. Although this compound has potential for use in syntheses, lignin hydroxypropylation with PC has not yet been explored in PU synthesis. In this work, PU adhesives are synthesized using castor oil (CO) and hydroxypropylated lignin via the reaction with PC (HKL_PC) as a polyol. HKL_PC is incorporated in CO at different concentrations (10 wt%, 20 wt%, and 30 wt%). Curing kinetics is investigated with temperature‐modulated optical refractometry (TMOR). Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrates an increase in Tg after lignin addition. Furthermore, Young's modulus and practical adhesion are improved with increasing HKL_PC concentration. Results prove that hydroxypropylation with PC is a feasible method for lignin‐based PU synthesis and reveals the potential of this approach as an alternative for the PO‐based method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cassava processing chain is potentially sustainable and can actively contribute in the change towards the circular economy. The present article aimed at assessing global scientific research trends on anaerobic treatment of wastewater originating from cassava processing. In this regard, a bibliometric analysis of anaerobic digestion and biogas production of wastewater from cassava processing was carried out within the period between 1980 and 2020, using the Scopus database. The results showed that the interest of research on the subject grew exponentially from 2001, being mainly focused on the recovery of by‐products such as methane, biogas, hydrogen, bio‐oil, bioethanol, propionic acid and butyric acid. Full‐scale anaerobic wastewater treatment already is carried out in countries such as India, China and Thailand, and has been explored largely in developing countries. The studies demonstrated that wastewater bioconversion is an attractive solution, with widespread full‐scale applications. The authors of the present work expect that new publications on environmental and economic sustainability of the processing industry of cassava by‐products will contribute to the sector's development towards a green and low‐carbon economy. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop a mathematical model of moisture diffusion applied to estimate the shelf life of glassy confection. The model was applied and validated on hard candies produced on an industrial scale at temperatures of 20 and 25°C. The results of the predicted and experimental shelf life at 20°C and 75.5% RH were 41 and 39 days respectively. At 25°C and 75.3% RH, it was 24 and 23 days, respectively. The model proved to be reliable for estimating shelf life, with a low percent relative error. At both temperatures, the model proved to be reliable for predicting moisture content as a function of time with R2 values close to the unit and mean percentage absolute error less than 10%. The method is practical and low cost and can be easily reproduced in future studies of stability in the confectionery industry. Practical Applications: The problem of the stickiness of glassy confectionery on the packaging impacts consumer complaints, returns, and environmental impacts. The model applied in this study can be used as a basis for the development of practical and low‐cost methods for estimating expiration dates and shelf life in future studies of stability in the confectionery industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper (Cu) is an essential metal and it is important for metabolism. However, in high concentrations, it becomes toxic. Metal‐induced toxicity is the cause of many neurodegenerative diseases. So it is necessary to search mechanisms to find ways of healthy aging. Natural compounds and diets based on fruits are increasingly common and could lead to a healthy life. Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) is a tropical and Latin American, fruit that is gaining more popularity due to its antioxidant properties. Here, we evaluate the preventive and curative effect of different doses of microencapsulated pulp H. undatus extract on copper‐induced toxicity. For this we use the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, to investigate the effects of pitaya extract on behavior, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant chaperon, and cholinergic nervous system (ColNS). Results showed behavioral changes, decreased cell death biomarkers, and lipid peroxidation caused by copper, and these toxic effects were prevented and reverted by Pitaya's extract. After all, the extract can be used in diet as a supplement and studied to treat or prevent specific diseases, some of them linked to contamination and senility‐related conditions. Practical applications: This research has been aimed to provide the uses of Hylocereus undatus microencapsulated pulp extract for the prevention and treatment of copper‐induced toxicity. We have been shown that Pitaya is a good source of antioxidant compounds that can ameliorate the antioxidant system as well as the cholinergic nervous system avoiding behavior changes before and after the metal toxicity of copper. Therefore, the potential applications and common use of this extract can serve as food supplementation to prevent metal oxidative damage as well as to repair clinical cases of copper poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tailings spilled by the Fundão Dam rupture in the Doce River basin (Brazil) had a high pH, elevated sodium (Na) and ether amine, and low soil organic matter. With the aim of decreasing the toxic compounds, we established 2 remediation strategies: treatment 1, phytoremediation with tolerant native species of the Atlantic Forest cultivated on scraped sediment plus the incorporation of organic matter; and treatment 2, phytoremediation with native species plus superficial deposition of organic matter. The experimental site was compared with a degraded site that the dam tailings had reached and with a preserved site, a fragment of preserved Atlantic Forest. After 12 mo, plants showed an outstanding growth, especially after treatment 1 (~4 m), and the remediation procedures resulted in significant decreases in pH (from 8.0 to ~ 6.0), Na (from 154 to 22–35 mg/kg), electrical conductivity, and ether amine (from 6.0 to 0.5 mg/kg) in both treatments. By contrast, ammonium, a product of ether amine degradation, showed a significant increase in the experimental site, along with a significant increase in nitrate and improvement of soil microbial populations assessed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. The treatments also improved soil fertility in the experimental site, as estimated by soil nutrients, cation exchange capacity, and soil aggregation. Based on the parameters analyzed, a principal component analysis showed that samples from the degraded site and the preserved site clustered in an opposite position and those from the experimental site clustered in an intermediate position but closer to the samples from the preserved site. Overall, our results demonstrated that the remediation procedures adopted were effective and resulted in rehabilitation of a riparian forest contaminated with dam tailings that included Na and ether amine. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2359–2373. © 2021 SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a fruit tree that has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years for the treatment of various diseases. The loquat leaf extracts contain several bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and identification of these substances using quick and simple methods has been an analytical trend. Methods: The influence of dehydration of loquat leaves (without drying, at 40_C, and at 60_C), the type of solvent (ethanol and methanol), and the method of extraction (shaking and ultrasound) on obtaining extracts containing phenolic compounds and substances with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties was evaluated. The chemical constituents of an extract were identified using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS). Results: The extract obtained from the dehydrated leaves at 40_C presented the best results. The extracts obtained from these leaves and with ethanol had the highest values of total phenolics and antioxidant activities, but the methanolic extract subjected to ultrasound had the highest levels of chlorogenic, caffeic, and ellagic acids. All extracts evaluated inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Using the PS-MS technique, it was possible to identify the presence of 49 substances such as organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sugars, quinones, and terpenes. Conclusions: In general, extracts of dehydrated leaves at 40_C and extracted with ethanol using ultrasound can be considered a good source of bioactive compounds with potential applications as functional ingredients or additives in the food and pharmaceutical industries. PS-MS was demonstrated to be a simple and ultrafast technique to obtain the chemical profile of the loquat leaf extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identification of nutritional risk in critically ill patients is a challenge because each nutritional screening tool has its specific characteristics. The objective was to evaluate the performance of the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill (mNUTRIC) score, used alone or in combination with the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS‐2002) score, to predict hospital mortality in critically ill patients. Methods: A prospective study was performed with patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from October 2017 to April 2018. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to test for complementarity between the mNUTRIC and NRS‐2002. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the performance of the instruments to predict mortality. This study was conducted in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. Results: 384 patients were evaluated (51.8% female mean age 59.6 ± 16.7 years). High nutritional risk was detected in 54.4% by the NRS‐2002 and 48.4% by mNUTRIC. The overall mortality rate was 36.5% (n = 140). Patients in whom nutritional risk was identified both by mNUTRIC and by NRS‐2002 (score ≥5) had a twofold greater risk of in‐hospital mortality (RR = 2.29; 95%CI: 1.42–3.68; p = 0.001). The area under the ROC curve to predict mortality was 0.693 for mNUTRIC; 0.645 for NRS‐2002; and 0.666 for mNUTRIC and NRS‐2002 combined. Conclusions: The mNUTRIC and NRS‐2002 scores had similar performance in predicting hospital mortality. The mNUTRIC has better discriminant ability to quantify the risk of mortality in critically ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Canine morbillivirus, also known as canine distemper virus (CDV), induces a contagious multisystemic disease caused by an enveloped RNA virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. CDV replicates readily in epithelial, nerve and lymphoid tissues; it is excreted in urine, feces, saliva, oral and nasal discharge; and its major route of entry for infection is through the respiratory system. Although the virus was originally believed to infect domestic dogs, new studies have shown that it can also naturally or experimentally infect non‐domestic hosts. A recent blood test performed on a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) found Lentz inclusions in the animal's leucocytes. A rapid CDV test, an RT‐PCR assay and pathology findings confirmed this report of canine morbillivirus in this species, which corresponds to the second report of CDV infection in the order Pilosa, family Myrmecophagidae in central west Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Maize is one of the most important cereals. It is used for different purposes and in different industries worldwide. This cereal is prone to contamination with mycotoxins, such as zearalenone (ZEN), which is produced mainly by Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum and F. equiseti. Toxin production under highly moist conditions (aw > 0.95) is exacerbated if there are alternations between low temperatures (12–14 °C) and high temperatures (25–28 °C). Even if good production practices are adopted, mycotoxins can be found in several stages of the production chain. For this reason, an alternative to reducing this contamination is ozonation. This study evaluated the reduction of ZEN in naturally contaminated whole maize flour (WMF) treated with 51.5 mg L−1 of ozone for up to 60 min. Pasting properties, peroxide value, and fatty acid composition were also evaluated. RESULTS: Zearalenone degradation in ozonated WMF was described by a fractional first‐order kinetic, with a maximum reduction of 62.3% and kinetic parameter of 0.201 min−1 in the conditions that were evaluated. The ozonation process in WMF showed a decrease in the apparent viscosity, a decrease in the proportion of linoleic, oleic, and α‐linolenic fatty acids, an increase in the proportion of palmitic acid, and an increase in the peroxide value. CONCLUSION: Ozonation was effective in reducing ZEN contamination in WMF. However, it also modified the pasting properties, fatty acid profile, and peroxide value, affecting functional and technological aspects of WMF. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed longevity is characterized as the time for which seed remains viable during storage. Seed longevity can be estimated by a Probit model that determines the period in which 50% of seeds have lost viability (P50). The transformed data are binary and when they are not normally distributed, it is necessary to modify the Probit model or apply other functions to estimate longevity. This work aimed studied the use of the Logit, Cauchy, and Cauchy--Santos--Sartori--Faria (Cauchy-SSF) functions to estimate the longevity of soybean seed [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and compared Probit longevity models for the ordinary least squares (OLS) adjustment method and the generalized linear model (GLM). Ten seed lots were used to estimate water content, germination, and longevity. The P50 data were transformed via the Probit, Logit, Cauchy, and Cauchy-SSF functions to estimate the coefficients of determination, the Akaike information criterion, deviance, dispersion, and the regression residuals. The effect on the results was observed, depending on the link function. The Cauchy-SSF function as part of the OLS method estimated longevity in eight seed lots within the interval of interest (II), and the Cauchy function as part of the GLM estimated longevity in nine seed lots. The Cauchy, Cauchy- SSF, and Logit models were capable of estimating the longevity of soybean seeds (P50) slightly better than the Probit model. We suggest the Cauchy-SSF function for the OLS method and the Cauchy function for the GLM method to estimate soybean seed longevity when the data are not normally distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The encapsulated essential oils (EOs) of Piper aduncum L. and Piper hispidinervum C. DC. in gelatin nanoparticles were evaluated against Aedes aegypti Linn., Tetranychus urticae Koch and Cerataphis lataniae Boisd. RESULTS: Encapsulation efficiency of the EOs was measured for absolute concentrations of 500 µg mL−1 (79.2 and 72.7%) and 1000 µg mL−1 (84.5 and 82.2%). The loaded nanoparticles were nearly spherical and well dispersed. The nanoparticles loaded with P. hispidinervum EO had an average size of 100 ± 2 nm, while the nanoparticles containing P. aduncum EO ranged from 175 ± 4 to 220 ± 4 nm. According to zeta potential analysis, the nanoparticles loaded with P. hispidinervum and P. aduncum EOs presented values around −43.5 ± 3 and −37.5 ± 2 mV respectively. The controlled release of EOs was described by the anomalous mechanism of Korsmeyer–Peppas. Both encapsulated EOs reached lethal dosages within 24 h of exposure and total mortality of the tested pests. CONCLUSION: The present work successfully developed gelatin‐based nanoparticles that served as carriers for the EOs of P. aduncum and P. hispidinervum to be applied as a sustainable control tool of A. aegypti, T. urticae and C. lataniae. The developed loaded nanoparticles presented high encapsulation efficiency and EO concentration release higher than lethal dosages. This indicates that it is feasible to use gelatin‐based nanoparticles loaded with P. aduncum and P. hispidinervum EOs to control the tested pests. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cactaceae is considered the fifth most endangered taxonomic group. In light of this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of different low‐temperature storage techniques in maintaining the viability of seeds of cacti in different threat categories. Seeds of six cacti taxa were stored in a cold chamber (8°C), a freezer (−5°C), in liquid nitrogen (−196°C) and at room temperature (25–27°C) for a period of 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 13 months. At each evaluation interval we removed a seed sample for each taxon studied, which was distributed into four repetitions of 25 seeds maintained at room temperature under 12‐h light/dark photoperiods. We evaluated the germinability, mean germination time and synchronization index. Most of the studied taxa presented germinability of above 50%, which was influenced by time and by storage temperatures. Also, most taxa stored at room temperature presented a significant reduction in germinability, whereas almost all taxa showed maintenance of the seed viability when stored in a cold chamber, a freezer or liquid nitrogen. This response can be justified by the reduction of the seed metabolism and the degradation of the reserve compounds of the seeds while at lower temperatures. Our results indicate that storage at low temperatures is an effective method for the conservation of cacti seeds and can be used for the formation of artificial seed banks of threatened cacti species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tons of disperse dyes are used worldwile, little information on their ecotoxicity is available. While in silico models can be used to predict their ecotoxicity, experimental results from Daphnia can show significantly higher toxicity than predicted. Thus the objective of this work was to extend the knowledge base in this area by evaluating the ecotoxicity of three widely used disperse dyes and comparing the results to predicted values. Bearing in mind that generating ecotoxicity data on azo disperse dyes is complicated because they are not readily found as homogeneous compounds, we employed chromatographic methods to purify three commercially dyes C.I. Disperse Violet 93, Blue 291, and Blue 373 already found in the aquatic environment. No acute toxicity was observed for Daphnia similis. These results seems to be in general agreement when compared with ECOSAR predicted values. We hypothesize that differences in Kow values could explain the variations in results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical behaviour of three redox couples, namely ferri/ferrocyanide, dopamine and 1,4-naphtoquinone is investigated at the surface of ITO substrates modified with layer-by-layer assembled poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) hydrochloride (PDAC) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) films. The study with ITO modified with PDAC/RGO films is performed by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Regardless of the type of electrode (bare ITO and PDAC/RGO-modified), the electrochemical behaviour of all three redox couples is diffusion controlled. Despite that, modification of the ITO substrate with the PDAC/RGO film decreases the electron transfer rate constant and makes more irreversible the ferri/ferrocyanide redox interconversion. In fact, it evidences that ferri/ferrocyanide is not a classical outer-sphere redox probe. On the other hand, the PDAC/RGO film HAS an inverse and positive effect on dopamine and 1,4-naphtoquinone redox reactions. Further, impedance spectroscopy data reveal that the PDAC/RGO film reduces by about 9 orders of magnitude the charge transfer resistance with these organic redox couples. As a main conclusion of the study, it is found that the right matching between RGO energy levels and the reduction potential of the redox species is not enough to provide electrocatalytic activity. The surface chemistry of RGO-based electrode plays an equivalent role for the electrodes' response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND This work aims to assess the use of protic ionic liquids ( PIL), propanoate, butanoate and pentanoate of N-methylmonoetanolamine ( C3, C4 and C5), in the preparation of hybrid supports made of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) ( PHBV) and silica for the immobilization of lipase of Burkholderia cepacia ( BCL) by covalent binding. For immobilized biocatalysts ( IBs), the performance was determined for immobilization and characterization ( pH, temperature, stability thermal, operational and in solvents), with the best conditions being defined. For the supports and efficient IB, the morphological and physicochemical characterization ( MEV, BET, FTIR and TGA) was evaluated. RESULTS For preparation of the hybrid support, the experiment using 3 g of PHBV presented a higher percentage of mass, around 50% recovery of the support in the granulometry used. The IBs total activity recovery yield (Ya) in hybrid supports modified with ionic liquids IB-hybrid- C3 (103%), IB-hybrid- C4 (120%) and IB-hybrid- C5 (133%) were above the results reported for the control (90%), with IB-hybrid- C5 being the most efficient, and presenting better thermal and operational stability. CONCLUSION Burkholderia cepacia lipase was immobilized successfully in a hybrid support ( PHBV and silica) modified with protic ionic liquid by covalent binding, resulting in an improvement in the morphological and physicochemical characteristics, and consequently with greater Ya and good thermal and operational stability. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic nanocomposites constituted by a matrix of α-Al2O3 microparticles reinforced by polyaniline emeraldine-salt form (PANI-ES) nanoparticles were prepared by in situ polymerization and characterized structural and morphologically. Peaks related to both materials were observed through XRD technique: PANI-ES presented peaks at 2θ = 8.9, 14.9, 20.8, 25.3, 27.1, and 30.0° and in α-Al2O3 phase peaks were found at 2θ = 25.6, 35.2, 37.9, 43.5, 52.6, 57.6, and 68.1°. Nanocomposite crystallinity percentage was estimated around 70%. SEM showed a polymerization of PANI-ES over alumina plates. By Le Bail method it was observed that PANI-ES and α-Al2O3 have crystallite average size around, respectively, 41 and 250 Å. By FTIR analysis characteristic absorption bands of both materials were identified. Additional bands indicating new chemical bonds were not observed, suggesting that nanocomposite was formed by physical deposition. Nanocomposite DC electrical conductivity was found around 0.24 S/cm (against 1.84×10-4 S/cm for pure PANI-ES), showing an increase of about 1,300 times compared to the pure PANI-ES at room temperature. Thus, this paper showed that both materials have kept its original structural characteristics and exhibited high electrical conductivity when combined in nanocomposite form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Terpineol ( TPN), a volatile monoterpene alcohol, is relatively non-toxic and one of the major components of the essential oils of various plant species. In this study, we tested for the antihypernociceptive activity of TPN (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice using mechanical models of hypernociception induced by carrageenan ( CG, 300 μg/paw) and the involvement of important mediators of its cascade signalling, such as tumour necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α, 100 pg/paw), prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2, 100 ng/paw) or dopamine ( DA, 30 μg/paw). We also investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of TPN on the model of carrageenan-induced pleurisy and the LPS-induced nitrite production in murine macrophages. Pre-systemic treatment with TPN (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited the development of mechanical hypernociception induced by CG or TNF-α. A similar effect was also observed upon PGE2 and DA administration. In addition, TPN significantly inhibited the neutrophil influx in the pleurisy model. TPN (1, 10 and 100 μg/mL) also significantly reduced ( p < 0.01) nitrite production in vitro. Our results provide information about the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of TPN on mechanical hypernociception and suggest that this compound might be potentially interesting in the development of new clinically relevant drugs for the management of painful and/or inflammatory disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To explore the association between sedentary behavior time (SB), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in preschool children. Methods This study included 646 preschool children (4- to 6-years old). WHtR was calculated as the ratio of waist/height with a cutoff of 0.5 used to define risk of abdominal obesity. Sedentary behavior was measured during 7 consecutive days by accelerometer. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between SB and WHtR. Results The prevalence of central obesity (WHtR) was 52.4 and 39.2% for girls and boys, respectively. Boys classified as being at risk for central obesity were more likely to spend more time in SB (OR: 1.6; CI: 1.1-2.5; P ≤ 0.05), adjusted by age ( P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions Our data suggested that boys classified as having higher SB were more likely to having more central obesity. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:746-748, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the histopathological and morphometric changes caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi infection either in the presence or absence of B‐1 cells. Wild‐type Balb/c and XID mice were used. Half of XID mice received B‐1 cells adoptive transfer (XID + B1). Five animals from each group were infected (Balb/c I, XID I and XID + B1 I), totalizing six groups (n = 5). After 45 days of infection, the ileum was collected for histological processing and analysis. After infection, the XID animals showed an increase in the thickness of the intestinal layers, in the depth and width of the crypt and in the villi width. However, the Balb/c I group showed a reduction in almost all these parameters, whereas the villi width was increased. The villi height decreased in the infected XID animals; however, it was increased in the XID + B1 I group. Leishmania (L) infantum chagasiinfection caused a decrease in the number of Paneth cells; however, their area was increased. Finally, goblet cells and enterocytes presented different change profiles among groups. This study showed that the parasite infection causes structural and histopathological alterations in the intestine. These changes might be influenced by the absence of B‐1 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]