Prospecting of soybean hulls as an inducer carbon source for the cellulase production.

Cellulases constitute an enzymatic complex involved in the cellulose hydrolysis ß-1, 4-glycosidic linkages to release of glucose. Therefore, its application to degrade agro-industrial residues becomes relevant, since glucose is a product of industrial interest, aiming at its conversion into biocommodity production (e.g., enzymes, bioethanol and other value-added biochemicals). Thus, in natura Soybean hulls as well as fractions obtained from its alkaline, autohydrolysis and organosolv pretreatments were used as carbon sources in submerged fermentation processes to evaluate the cellulase-inducing capacity using a Penicillium sp. strain. Results showed an inductive effect on the production of 0.130 and 0.066 U/mL for CMCase and FPase, respectively, using 1% of the in natura residue. Regarding the fraction obtained from soybean hulls pretreated by autohydrolysis and organosolv, avicelase and ß-Glucosidase displayed a production of 0.200 and 0.550 U/mL, respectively. Therefore, the use of pretreated Soybean hull revealed its potential as an alternative carbon source for the cellulase production, which may contribute significantly to biotechnological purposes by adding value to an agro-industrial residue.

Gender differences in the sleep habits of 11-13 year olds / Diferenças nos hábitos de sono entre gêneros nos escolares de 11 a 13 anos de idade

OBJECTIVE: Sleep plays an important role in the physical and emotional development of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in sleep habits in a sample of 11-13 year olds. METHOD: The study was carried out in the city of Patos de Minas, Brazil. The study cohort was composed of 200 students (96 boys and 104 girls) attending (in the morning or in the afternoon) the 5th, 6th or 7th grades, with ages ranging from 11 to 13 years. A Sleep Questionnaire developed at the Federal University of São Paulo was used in order to evaluate student sleep habits and schedules, as well as the overall quality of sleep. RESULTS: For the period between Friday night and Sunday morning, girls displayed longer sleep duration than did boys. During the week, students attending only afternoon classes woke up later than did students attending only morning classes. In addition, morning-class students showed more adverse effects on sleep, including irregular sleep/wakefulness circadian rhythms, when compared with afternoon-class students. CONCLUSION: Sleep habits are affected by gender and school schedule.

OBJETIVO: O sono desempenha um papel fundamental no desenvolvimento físico e emocional de adolescentes. Este estudo teve o objetivo de analisar as diferenças entre gêneros nos hábitos de sono de escolares com idades entre 11 e 13. MÉTODO: Este estudo foi realizado na cidade de Patos de Minas-MG, Brasil. A amostra foi composta de 200 alunos (96 meninos e 104 meninas) matriculados da 5ª a 7ª séries (ambos os turnos, manhã e tarde) e com idade entre 11 e 13 anos. O Questionário de sono UNIFESP foi utilizado para avaliar a qualidade de sono, hábitos e horários de sono. RESULTADOS: As meninas demonstraram maior tempo de sono do que os meninos da sexta-feira à noite para o domingo de manhã. Os alunos que estudavam a tarde acordavam mais tarde que os alunos do turno matutino durante a semana; alunos do turno da manhã são mais afetados negativamente em relação ao sono e podem ter um ciclo vigília/sono irregular quando comparado com os alunos que estudam no turno da tarde. CONCLUSÃO: Meninos e meninas têm diferentes hábitos de sono, sendo influenciados pelo turno escolar.

Gender differences in the sleep habits of 11-13 year olds.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep plays an important role in the physical and emotional development of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in sleep habits in a sample of 11-13 year olds. METHOD: The study was carried out in the city of Patos de Minas, Brazil. The study cohort was composed of 200 students (96 boys and 104 girls) attending (in the morning or in the afternoon) the 5th, 6th or 7th grades, with ages ranging from 11 to 13 years. A Sleep Questionnaire developed at the Federal University of São Paulo was used in order to evaluate student sleep habits and schedules, as well as the overall quality of sleep. RESULTS: For the period between Friday night and Sunday morning, girls displayed longer sleep duration than did boys. During the week, students attending only afternoon classes woke up later than did students attending only morning classes. In addition, morning-class students showed more adverse effects on sleep, including irregular sleep/wakefulness circadian rhythms, when compared with afternoon-class students. CONCLUSION: Sleep habits are affected by gender and school schedule.