Endo-Exoglucanase Synergism for Cellulose Nanofibril Production Assessment and Characterization.

A study to produce cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) from kraft cellulose pulp was conducted using a centroid simplex mixture design. The enzyme blend contains 69% endoglucanase and 31% exoglucanase. The central composite rotational design (CCRD) optimized the CNF production process by achieving a higher crystallinity index. It thus corresponded to a solid loading of 15 g/L and an enzyme loading of 0.974. Using the Segal formula, the crystallinity index (CrI) of the CNF was determined by X-ray diffraction to be 80.87%. The average diameter of the CNF prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis was 550-600 nm, while the one produced by enzymatic hydrolysis and with ultrasonic dispersion was 250-300 nm. Finally, synergistic interactions between the enzymes involved in nanocellulose production were demonstrated, with Colby factor values greater than one.

Cnidoscolus mild mosaic virus: a new bipartite begomovirus isolated from Cnidoscolus urens in Brazil.

A novel bipartite begomovirus infecting Cnidoscolus urens (Euphorbiaceae) from Pernambuco State, Brazil, has been characterized. The complete DNA-A (2657 nt) and DNA-B (2622 nt) components of the viral isolates show the typical genome organization of New World bipartite begomoviruses. DNA-A of the isolates had the highest percentage of nucleotide sequence identity (88.6-88.9%) to cnidoscolus mosaic leaf deformation virus. Based on the current classification criteria for the genus Begomovirus, the virus infecting C. urens should be considered a new member of the genus, and the name "cnidoscolus mild mosaic virus" is proposed for the virus, and the name "Begomovirus caboniensis" is proposed for its species.

A proteomic approach to the mechanisms underlying activation of aluminium resistance in roots of Urochloa decumbens.

The mechanisms of extreme Al-resistance in Urochloa decumbens are not established. Full resistance expression requires a lag time of 72-96h and is preceded by a sensitive phase (24-48h) with Al-induced root growth inhibition. The aim here was to identify key processes of the activation phase of Al-resistance analysing both root exudates and comparative root proteome. Samples were taken after 0, 24 and 96h exposure to 0 or 200µM Al. Al-induced stimulation of citrate and oxalate efflux was limited to the sensitive phase. Only 11 proteins revealed Al-induced abundance differences; six were identified. After 24h, phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL), methionine synthase (MS), and deoxymugineic acid synthase (DMAS) decreased, while acid phosphatase (APase) abundance increased. Coincident with growth recovering, PAL and MS, but not DMAS, returned to initial levels. After 96h, γ­carbonic anhydrase (γ­CA) and adenylate kinase (AK) along with two unidentified proteins were more abundant. In conclusion, few protein changes characterize the initial response to Al in signalgrass. During the alarm phase, changes are related to P-mobilization, downregulation of Fe-acquisition, reduction of phenolic biosynthesis, and small stimulation of organic acid exudation. After recovering (resistant phase), biosynthesis of phenolics and methionine, but not Fe-mobilization are re-established. Full expression of Al-resistance is characterized by enhanced γ­CA mediating mitochondrial complex I assembly and increased AK abundance indicating higher root respiration and better provision of ADP and Mg2+ to ATP synthase, respectively. The unidentified proteins and the specific role of γ­CA in Al resistance of U. decumbens will centre future research.

Estudo de utilização de anti-ulcerosos na população idosa de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil / Study of antiulcerous utilization in the elderly population of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

O aumento gradativo da longevidade destaca-se como uma das mais importantes mudanças demográficas das últimas décadas. A incidência de usuários de anti-ulcerosos vem aumentando nessa parcela da população, e com isso, a necessidade do fortalecimento na relação profissional-usuário. Objetivos: Descrever a terapia anti-ulcerosa utilizada pela população idosa de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil e analisar a necessidade de implementação de um programa de atenção farmacêutica a esses pacientes. Métodos: Estudo transversal exploratório e observacional. O instrumento utilizado para a coleta de dados foi uma ficha de seguimento farmacoterapêutico testada e validada. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados com o uso do programa SPSS 14,0. Resultados: Do total de 514 pacientes entrevistados, 13,2% utilizavam medicamentos para terapia das doenças ácido-pépticas. Os inibidores da bomba de prótons foram a subclasse de medicamentos mais utilizadas, seguidos pelos antagonistas de receptores H2. Foi observada grande presença de polifarmácia. Apenas 32,2% dos idosos se automedicam, em contrapartida, 71,2% não entendem a receita médica e 81,4% esquecem de ingerir seus medicamentos com freqüência. Conclusão: A grande variabilidade farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica dessa população evidenciam a importância deste estudo, a fim de evitar erros farmacoterapêuticos que poderão ocasionar interações farmacológicas e reações adversas. Portanto, é justificada a implementação de um programa de atenção farmacêutica ao paciente idoso que utiliza anti-ulcerosos.

The gradual increase of the longevity is distinguished as one of the most important demographic changes of the last decades. The incidence of antiulcerous users is increasing in this age group, and this strengthens the necessity of the professional-user relation. Objectives: To describe the antiulcerous therapy used by the elderly population of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil and to analyze the implementation necessity of a pharmaceutical care program to these patients. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational and exploratory study. The instrument used for the data collection was a validated pharmacotherapy questionnaire tabulated and analyzed by the SPSS 14.0 computer program. Results: Of the total of 514 interviewed patients, 13.2% use medicines to acid-peptic illnesses. The inhibitor of proton pump was the medicine subclass more used, followed by the histamine 2 receptor (H2R) antagonist. Great presence of polypharmacy was observed. Only 32.2% of the elderly use self-medication. On the other hand, 71.2% do not understand the medical prescription and 81.4% forget their medicines. Conclusion: The great pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability of this population evidences the importance of this study, in order to prevent errors that can cause drugs interactions and side effects. Therefore, the implementation of a pharmaceutical care program to the elderly patient who use antiulcerous is justified.